Application of Failure Criteria in Aeronautical Sandwich Structure Composites with a Central Hole Subjected to Bending Testing

Abstract This study aimeds at investigating the mechanical behavior of an E-glass fiber-reinforced epoxy resin of a laminated composite sandwich with honeycomb core and a central hole, used in the aeronautics industry submitted to bending loading. Three analytical failure models applied to laminated composites were compared in order to study the influence of stress concentration due to a central hole. The following criteria were assessed: Average Stress Criterion (ASC), Point Stress Criterion (PSC) and the Inherent Flaw Model (IFM). These models were applied to experimental data obtained in a four-point bending test in samples of the sandwich laminate. Finally, modifications on failure prediction models were proposed and appied in sandwich laminates with a central hole. The results obtained showed the applicability of the proposed formulation and that the suggested changes to the model more adequately fit it to the experimental data.