Contact behavior of an orthotropic laminated beam indented by a rigid cylinder

Abstract A finite-element study of the contact behavior of laminated beams has been carried out. The influence of various parameters such as ply orientation, beam thickness, indenter size, presence of a compliant layer and the presence of matrix cracks and delamination on the contact behavior of a symmetric orthotropic laminate is studied. The results are expressed in terms of contact pressure distributions and force/indentation graphs. While laminate thickness, indenter size and the presence of a compliant layer affect the force/indentation behavior and pressure distributions, delamination seems to affect only the latter. Delaminations in the lower half, away from the contact regions, have an insignificant effect on contact behavior. Stacking sequence, except for the all 90 ° laminate, does not influence the contact behavior.