Tensile strength and fracture of glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) plate with an eccentrically located circular hole

In this paper, tensile strength and fracture of finite glass fiber-reinforced plastic GFRP (glass/polyester) composite materials with a through-the-thickness eccentrically located circular hole are experimentally studied. The strain response histories near the hole boundary for different eccentrically located holes during the whole damage and fracture process of the notched specimen are recorded. The effects of off-center distance and hole diameter on strength and fracture of the notched specimen are analyzed. The tensile fracture strength of the notched specimen with an eccentrically located hole is determined. Also, the initial stress concentrations in the composite laminate due to the presence of the eccentrically located hole are understood. These results play an important role for predicting strength and evaluating lifetime of laminate composite with complex geometrical cutouts.