The Effect of Pin Load Distribution on the Strength of Pin Loaded Holes in Laminated Composites

An analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of the assumed pin load distribution on the calculated strength and predicted failure mode of pin loaded holes in laminated composites. The calculations utilized a finite element method of stress analysis combined with the Yamada-Sun failure criterion applied along the Chang-Scott-Springer char acteristic curve. Strengths and failure modes were calculated for both a cosine load distri bution and a load distribution determined by an iterative procedure. The strengths and failure modes calculated by the two types of load distributions agreed closely.