Proceedings of IMECE04
2004 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition
STRESS CONCENTRATION IN LAMINATED COMPOSITES
WITH AN ELLIPTICAL HOLE UNDER UNIAXIAL LOAD
Zhong Hu/South Dakota State Brett A. Friedman/South Dakota
University
ABSTRACT
The anisotropic nature of the laminate composites creates a
unique opportunity and also a great challenge for tailoring its
properties according to the design requirements. In this work,
investigating the strength of laminate composite, a nonlinear
finite element analysis is used to simulate the stress
concentration caused by a through elliptical hole with various
shapes and size within a metallic material and a fiber-reinforced
laminate with different orientations subjected to the uniaxial
tensile stress. This evaluation provides a clear indication and a
key step in understanding failures initiated by stress
concentration which may lead to the growth of a crack.
Comparison between the effects of the hole both on a metallic
material and on a fiber-reinforced laminate exposes a totally
different situation. In general, the stress concentration depends
not only on the material properties, the layer stacking order, and
the orientations, but also on the geometry of the hole.
INTRODUCTION
Taking advantage of the highest quality materials and the
effective design and applications in industry is without a doubt
an important factor for staying competitive. Composite
materials consisting of two or more materials that are
mechanically or metallurgically bonded together are non-
uniform solids possessing characteristic properties or
combinations of properties. Unlike the most traditional metallic
materials with isotropic properties, the properties of the fiber-
reinforced laminated composites depend strongly on the
direction of measurement. This anisotropic nature creates a
unique opportunity and also a great challenge for tailoring its
properties according to the design requirements.
Accurate and reliable prediction of the mechanical
properties of a composite system is undoubtedly not an easy
task even for the most experienced engineer. Under the
application of load, the system has the tendency to produce
complex distributions of stress and strain. Fracture in
continuous fiber composites may occur in many complex and
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November 13-20, 2004, Anaheim, California USA
IMECE2004-59151
Fereidoon Delfanian/South
State University Dakota State University
different ways due to their anisotropic nature. The development
of a singularity near a stress concentration is essential to
fracture mechanics. The localization of the stress causes the
material in that region to undergo damage that can lead to
propagation of a crack through that region, thereby moving the
damage zone further into the material. The stress concentration
varies with type of loading, and geometry of the specimen (such
as a change in specimen cross section or a fastening hole or a
notch), and is intimately related to the properties of the
constituents, i.e., fiber, matrix, interface/interphase, the layer
stacking order and the orientations. The activation of
deformation mechanisms that toughen the material and increase
resistance to further crack propagation is essential to arrest
failure.
One key step in understanding failures initiated by flaws
with a material is the conceptual understanding of a stress
concentration which can be approached from several different
directions. Engineers can rely on extensive experimental data to
produce master curves of nondimensional variables. The price
to be paid is enormous and, in most cases, unrealistic.
Therefore, the goal of obtaining a more fundamental and
effective approach is more than necessary even if assumptions,
generalities, and compromises are employed.
Computer simulation by finite element analysis is today’s a
mature and essential part of many design practices that has led
to improved designs and reduced development times and costs.
During the past 20 years, finite element analysis (FEA) has
evolved as a valuable tool for prediction of various
manufacturing processes and mechanical performance. So far,
most applications have concerned metals [1]. However, these
techniques have received little attention for applications
involving composite materials. Modern industry can no longer
afford “trial and error” testing methods to design and check a
new product. [2]
The focus of this paper concerns the stress concentration
caused by a through elliptical hole with various shapes within a
metallic material and a fiber reinforced laminate subjected to
1 Copyright © 2004 by ASME
 the uniaxial tensile load. A nonlinear finite element analysis is σ ij = Cijkl ε kl (2)
used to simulate the stress-strain distributions. The effects of the
hole shape, the hole size, and the material properties on the If the material under consideration is orthotropic, the
stress concentration are studied. The substantial differences of constitutive equation (2) can be reduced to the following matrix
the stress-strain behavior within the different materials are form as
discussed. Then, the simulation results are compared to the σ1 C11 C12 C13 0 0 0 ε1
published and existing experimental results which are in good σ2 C12 C 22 C 23 0 0 0 ε2
agreement. (3)
σ3 C C 23 C33 0 0 0 ε3
= 13
τ 23 0 0 0 C 44 0 0 γ 23
NOMENCLATURE
τ 31 0 0 0 0 C55 0 γ 31
xi  three dimensional rectangular coordinates (i = 1, 2, 3)
τ 12 0 0 0 0 0 C 66 γ 12
ui  three dimensional displacements (i = 1, 2, 3)
εij  the second-rank strain tensor (i, j = 1, 2, 3) where
σij  the second-rank stress tensor (i, j = 1, 2, 3) C11 =
1 −ν 23ν 32 , ν + ν 23ν 31 , C = ν 31 + ν 21ν 32 ,
C12 = 21 13
Cijkl  material stiffness coefficients (i, j, k, l = 1, 2, 3) E 2 E3 ∆ E 2 E3 ∆ E2 E3 ∆
Ei, νij, Gij  Young’s modulus, Poisson ratio, and shear
modulus, respectively (i, j = 1, 2, 3) ν 12 + ν 13ν 32 , 1 − ν 13ν 31 , C = ν 32 + ν 12ν 31 ,
C21 = C22 = 23
Kt  stress concentration factor E3 E1∆ E3 E1∆ E3 E1∆
a, b  the half long axis and the half short axis of the
elliptical hole, respectively ν 13 + ν 12ν 23 , ν +ν ν 1 − ν 12ν 21 ,
C31 = C32 = 23 13 21 , C33 =
rtip  the radius of curvature at the tip of the flaw E1E2 ∆ E1 E2 ∆ E1E2 ∆
h, w, t  the half height, half width, and thickness of the
specimen, respectively C 44 = G 23 , C55 = G13 , C 66 = G12 and

GOVERNING EQUATIONS FOR ISOTROPIC AND
ORTHOTROPIC LAMINATES
The mechanics of laminated composite materials is
generally studied at two distinct levels, commonly referred to as
macro-mechanics and micromechanics. In this paper, the
macro-mechanics will be employed, in which the properties of
the individual layers are assumed to be the known parameters,
and the interaction of the individual layers of a laminate with
one another and their effects on the overall response quantities
of the laminate will be investigated. In order to design a
structure that will meet requirements on certain response
quantities such as displacements, stresses, or buckling loads, we
need to be able to calculate that response for a specified
loading. Elastic properties that form the relation between the
stresses and strains are the fundamental quantities that govern
the response of the material and, therefore, the structure to be
designed. In designing structures made up of monolithic
materials, these properties are normally given and are not
included among the set of parameters that the designer varies to
improve the performance of the structure. In contrast, for
composite materials part of the effort is to design elastic
properties of the composite medium.
For small deformations the following linear form of the
strain displacement relations holds [3]:
1 dui du j (i, j = 1, 2, 3) (1)
ε ij = + from the flaw.
2 dx j dxi
The stress-strain relation for a three-dimensional
anisotropic linear elastic medium, also known as Hooke’s law,
is expressed in the following form:
1 − ν 12ν 21 − ν 23ν 32 − ν 13ν 31 − ν 12ν 23ν 31 − ν 13ν 21ν 32 (4)
∆=
E1 E2 E3
In the case of a three-dimensional isotropic material, which
has the same properties in every direction, we have the
following additional relations between stiffness coefficients in
Eq.(3):
C11 = C22 = C33 =
(1 − ν )E , C = C = C = νE ,
(1 + ν )(1 − 2ν ) 12 23 31 (1 + ν )(1 − 2ν )
and C = C = C = C11 − C12 = E = G (5)
44 55 66
2 2(1 + ν )
STRESS CONCENTRATION FACTOR
For a component, a change in specimen cross section or a
fastening hole can serve as a source of stress concentration
wherein a fracture may be initiated. The presence of a stress
concentration may lead to the growth of a crack from fatigue or
creep damage or may come about in concert with oxidation or
corrosion damage. One key step in understanding failures
initiated by flaws within a material is the conceptual
understanding of a stress concentration. The localized
concentration of stresses is often designated as [4] [5]
K t = σ max σ ∞ (6)
where σmax is the largest principal stress (found typically at the
flaw surface) and σ∞ is the remote applied stress well away
Considering the plate with an elliptical through-hole that
undergoes uniaxial tension shown in Fig.1. Since the interior of
the hole is a free surface, all forces normal to the interior
surface of the hole must be equal to zero. Therefore, all forces

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 resolved within the material must be carried by the material
surrounding the hole. As expected that the circumferential
stresses would be magnified near the hole surface.
For an isotropic material, as the hole goes from a round
hole to an elliptical hole with very sharp ends, the resolved
stresses become most strongly concentrated at the smallest
radius of curvature. The radius of curvature at the tip of the
flaw, rtip, is
rtip = b 2 a (7) σ could be easily made to the size and shape parameters. The
The elastic solution for an
infinitely sharp crack predicts an
infinite stress. Since an infinite
stress is not possible, it is clear
that if the crack is not propagating
and the part is under stress, the
crack must have a finite curvature
or the deformation is not purely
elastic. However, for an
orthotropic laminated material, the Fig.1 schematically sketch
stress concentration is more
complicated, and therefore, it
creates a unique opportunity and
also a great challenge for tailoring
its properties.
COMPUTER SIMULATION RESULTS
Metallic Material  Carbon Steel
Metal specimen, shown as Fig.2, produced a symmetric
rectangular specimen with a hole of varying size and shape in
the center. Material properties for a carbon steel specimen [6]
included the Elastic Modulus, Poisson’s Ratio, and an
elastic/plastic stress-strain curve, as illustrated in Fig.3.
Stress concentration factors were examined for the
following parameter sets:
(a) Fix b/a=1 and w/a=10, change w/t=10, 30, 100, 300, 1000;
(b) Fix b/a=1 and w/t=1000, change w/a=5, 7.5, 10, 15, 20;
(c) Fix w/t=1000 and w/a=10, change b/a=0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2;
(d) Fix b/a=1, w/a=10, and w/t=1000, change deformation from
elastic to plastic.
800
700
600
500
True Stress (MPa)
400
300
200
100
0
0 0.1
Fig.2 Metal specimen Fig.3 True stress-true strain for
diagram
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Stress concentration factors were produced according to
Eq.(6). These numbers were compared to the existing stress
concentration factors for circular and elliptical holes in infinite
plates with finite-width in uniaxial tension. Commercial FEA
software ANSYS was used for computer simulation. A 20-node
3-dimensional nonlinear structural element type was used, and
the ANSYS Parametric Design Language (APDL) was
employed for writing the batch file such that modifications
virtual metal specimens were placed under tensile stress until
they displaced 1/500 of the original height for elastic
σmax 2a deformation. Data was gathered for displacement, average force
at the top and middle, average stress at the top and middle, and
2b maximum stress. A nodal contour plot of the stress in the y-
direction was made.
First, the effects of the thickness on stress concentration
were investigated. The simulation results for investigating the
effects of the plate thickness on Kt for a circular through-hole
σ specimen are shown in Fig.4 -7. The thickness causes the non-
uniform distribution of the stress and strain.
of stress concentration The published Kt value for a two-dimensional plate with
with an elliptical through centered circular hole with w/a=10 was 3.035[5]. Since no
hole. consideration was given to thickness, the first experiment
determined how this variable affected the results. The Kt values
from this work for w/t=10, 100, and 1000 were 3.339, 3.169,
and 3.147 respectively. Therefore, percent error decreased with
plate thickness, 10.0%, 4.4%, and 3.7% respectively. Small
plate thickness yielded the best results. Thus, w/t=1000 was
used for the rest of the experiment for the cases disregarding the
effects of thickness.
Second, the effects of the relative size of the circular hole
(w/a) on stress concentration were investigated, as shown in
Fig.8-10.
3.35
3.3
3.25
Kt
3.2
3.15
3.1
10 100 1000
W/t
Fig.4 Kt for changing w/t Fig.5 σy around the hole from the
ratio. (b/a=1, w/a=10) side view (b/a=1, w/a=10, w/t=10)
0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
True Strian
Fig.6 σy from front view Fig.7 σy from back view
carbon steel (b/a=1, w/a=10, w/t=10) (b/a=1, w/a=10, w/t=10)
3 Copyright © 2004 by ASME

The results were compared
to the published data [5]. The
published Kt values for w/a=5,
10, and 20 were 3.142, 3.035,
3.4
Laminate Composites  Carbon/Epoxy
3.3 Composite laminated specimen, shown in Fig.15, produced
a layered symmetric rectangular specimen of varying layer
3.2 orientation with a hole of varying size and shape in the center.

Kt
and 3.010 respectively. The Kt
values from this work were
3.337, 3.147, and 3.005, which
gave percent errors of 6.3%,
3.7%, and 0.2% respectively. As
the circular hole got smaller,
accuracy increased.
Fig.9 σy(b/a=1, w/a=5, w/t=1000) Fig.10 σy(b/a=1, w/a=10, w/t=1000)
Next, the effects of the shape of
the elliptical hole (b/a) on stress
concentration were investigated, as
Totally 16 layers were employed. Material properties for a
3.1
carbon/epoxy specimen[7] included the Elastic Modula,
3
Poisson’s Ratios, Shear Modula, etc.
5 10 15 20 Stress concentration factors were
W/a examined for the following parameter
Fig.8 Kt for changing w/a sets:
ratio. (b/a=1, w/t=1000) (a) Fix b/a=0.5, w/t=1000, and
w/a=10, change orientations
[(0/90)4]s, [(0/±45/90)2]s, [(±45)4]s;
(b) Fix b/a=1, w/t=1000, and w/a=10,
change orientations [(0/90)4]s,
[(0/±45/90)2]s, [(±45)4]s;
(c) Fix b/a=2, w/t=1000, and w/a=10,
change orientations [(0/90)4]s,
[(0/±45/90)2]s, [(±45)4]s;
(d) Fix b/a=1, w/t=1000, and w/a=5,
change orientations [(0/90)4]s,
5 [(0/±45/90)2]s, [(±45)4]s;
Fig.15 Carbon/Epoxy
(e) Fix b/a=1, w/t=1000, and w/a=10,
specimen diagram
4
change orientations [(0/90)4]s,
[(0/±45/90)2]s, [(±45)4]s;
Kt

shown in Fig. 11-13. The results 3

were compared to the published data
[5]
. The published Kt values for
b/a=0.5, 1, and 2 were 5.05, 3.05,
and 2.05 respectively when w/a=10.
The Kt values from this work were
4.973, 3.147, and 2.132, which gave
percent errors of 1.5%, 3.7%, and
4.0% respectively.
Fig.12 σy (b/a=0.5, w/a=10,
w/t=1000)
Finally, the effects of 3.5
nonlinear behavior (elastic 3.0
(f) Fix b/a=1, w/t=1000, and w/a=20, change orientations
2
[(0/90)4]s, [(0/±45/90)2]s, [(±45)4]s;
0.5 1 1.5 2 Stress in y-direction and calculated stress concentration
b/a
factors based on Eq.(6) were used for analysis. The results for
Fig.11 Kt for changing the composite were compared with the experimental data from
b/a ratio. (w/a=10, Ohki[8] and Chern[9] as well as the results from the metal.
w/t=1000)
ANSYS was used for computer simulation. A 3-dimensional 8-
node layered structural element type for laminated composite
material was used. The ANSYS APDL was employed for
writing the batch file such that modifications could be easily
made to the size, shape, and orientation parameters. The virtual
laminated composite specimens were placed under tensile stress
until they displaced 1/500 of the original height. Data was
gathered for displacement, average force at the top and middle,
average stress at the top and middle, and maximum stress.
First, the effects of the b/a ratio and the orientations on
stress concentration were investigated.
Fig.13 σy (b/a=2, w/a=10, The results, shown in
w/t=1000) Fig.16-24, make it clear 20
18.19 [(0/90)4]s
that the b/a ratio and the 15
orientations greatly
[(0/+45/-45/90)2]s
11.69
[(+45/-45)4]s
Kt

10
influenced the stress
and plastic deformation) on 2.5
concentration factor. The 5
Kt

4.828 4.34
stress concentration (b/a=1, 2.0
orientation [(0/90)4]s was 1.825
3.4
2.2136
1.368
w/a=10, w/t=1000) were 1.5
with the lowest Kt, and
0
0.738

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5

investigated. The results are 1.0
0E+0 2E-4 4E-4 6E-4 8E-4 1E-3 [(±45)4]s with the highest Kt b/a
shown in Fig.14. Plastic Average tensile strain
around the hole among Fig.16 Kt for changing b/a and
deformation would reduce Fig.14 Kt changing for plastic these three orientations orientations (w/a=10, w/t=1000)
stress concentration. deformation (b/a=1, w/a=10, under uniaxial tensile load.
w/t=1000)

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 Fig.23 σy (b/a=0.5, w/t=1000, Fig.24 σy (b/a=2, w/t=1000,
Fig.17 σy (b/a=0.5, w/t=1000, Fig.18 σy (b/a=2, w/t=1000, w/a=10, orientation[(±45)4]s) w/a=10, orientation[(±45)4]s)
w/a=10, orientation [(0/90)4]s) w/a=10, orientation [(0/90)4]s)
For laminated composites with orientation [(0/90)4]s, the Upon examination of the w/a ratio in various orientations,
stress distribution, σy, around the hole was similar to that in the the effects on stress concentration factor, Kt, were investigated.
metal, the larger the b/a ratio, the smaller the Kt, even smaller The effects of the w/a ratio, shown in Fig.25-31, were quite
than that in the steel. The b/a ratio greatly influenced the stress different from those obtained for the b/a ratio for the laminated
concentration factor, and the Kt is even less than 1 for b/a=2.0, composites.
which means the stress was not concentrated around the The effects of the w/a 35
[(0/90)4]s 31.36

elliptical hole. This stress distribution was better improved than ratio on stress concentration 30
25 [(0/+45/-45/90)2]s
that in metals. factor were complicated,
20
which combined the influence [(+45/-45)4]s

Kt
For laminated composites with orientation [(0/±45/90)2]s, 15
the stress distribution, σy, was slightly presented around the of the radius of curvature of 10
11.69

elliptical hole. However, the stress concentration within the the hole and the net cross 5 5.33
4.235 5.14
3.4

interlaminate layers was much more severe than that within the section area at the hole. The 0
1.817 1.368 1.242

same layer. The b/a ratio also greatly influenced the stress
concentration factor. The displacement distributions, ux and uy,
were in agreement with the experimental results obtained by
Chern [9].
For laminated composites with orientation [(±45)4]s, the
stress distribution, σy, was orientationally (about 45° from the
longitudinal direction and matching with the maximum shear
stress direction and the fiber orientation) presented around the
hole, which was an good explanation for the whitening
propagation phenomenon of the composite specimens in static
tensile tests and fatigue tests [8]. The b/a ratio also greatly
influenced the stress concentration factor. However, the stress
concentration factor, Kt, was much higher than those with the
other two orientations.
Fig.19 σy (b/a=0.5, w/t=1000, Fig.20 σy (b/a=2, w/t=1000,
w/a=10, orientation[(0/±45/90)2]s ) w/a=10, orientation [(0/±45/90)2]s)
Fig.21 ux (b/a=1, w/t=1000, Fig.22 uy (b/a=1, w/t=1000,
w/a=10, orientation[(0/±45/90)2]s ) w/a=10, orientation [(0/±45/90)2]s)
orientation [(0/90)4]s was with 0 5 10 15 20 25
w/a
the lowest Kt, and [(±45)4]s
with the highest Kt around the Fig.25 Kt for changing w/a and
hole among these three orientations (b/a=1, w/t=1000)
orientations under uniaxial
tensile load.
For laminated composites with orientation [(0/90)4]s, the
stress distribution, σy, around the hole was similar to that in the
metal, the larger the w/a ratio, the smaller the Kt, even smaller
than that in the steel. One of the reasons was that the larger the
w/a ratio, the larger the net cross section area at the hole, and
the less the stress applied on the net area at the hole.
For laminated composites with orientation [(0/±45/90)2]s,
the stress distribution, σy, was much more complicated. Kt at
w/a=10 was less than that for both w/a=5 and w/a=20. The
larger the w/a ratio, the larger the net cross section area at the
hole, and the smaller the radius of the curvature at the hole.
Therefore, the net effects of the w/a ratio was the combination
of the effects of the net cross section and the radius of curvature
which were at the same order, resulting in a lower Kt value at
w/a=10.
For laminated composites with orientation [(±45)4]s, the
stress distribution, σy, around the hole is similar to that for b/a
ratio, which orientationally (about 45° from the longitudinal
direction and matching with the maximum shear stress direction
and the fiber orientation) presented, which was also a good
explanation for the whitening propagation phenomenon of the
composite specimens in static tensile tests and fatigue tests [8].
The w/a ratio was also greatly influence the stress concentration
factor, Kt. However, the stress concentration factor, Kt, is much
higher than those with the other two orientations and also than
that in the steel.

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Fig.26 σy (w/a=5, w/t=1000, b/a=1 Fig.27 σy (w/a=20, w/t=1000,
orientation[(0/90)4]s )
Fig.28 σy (w/a=5, w/t=1000,
b/a=1, orientation[(0/±45/90)2]s )
Fig.30 σy (w/a=5, w/t=1000,
b/a=1, orientation[(±45)4]s )
b/a=1, orientation [(0/90)4]s)
Fig.29 σy (w/a=20, w/t=1000,
b/a=1, orientation[(0/±45/90)2]s)
Fig.31 σy (w/a=20, w/t=1000,
b/a=1, orientation[(±45)4]s)
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Optimization of Laminated Composite Materials, Wiley-
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CONCLUSIONS
Present study showed that for the steel specimen subjected
to an uniaxial tensile stress, the stress concentration factor, Kt,
around the centered elliptical hole was affected by the b/a ratio
and w/a ratio, so that the larger the b/a ratio and the w/a ratio,
the smaller the Kt value.
Plastic deformation for the steel specimen can improve the
stress concentration around the hole.
For the laminated composite specimen subjected to an
uniaxial tensile stress, the stress concentration factor, Kt, around
the centered elliptical hole was affected not only by the b/a ratio
and w/a ratio, but also by the fiber orientations. The interaction
of the radius of the curvature of the hole and the net area of the
cross section at the hole was complicated.
For the effects of the fiber orientations [(0/90)4]s,
[(0/±45/90)2]s and [(±45)4]s on the stress concentration factor Kt,
the laminated composites with the orientation [(0/90)4]s was
with the lowest Kt, and that with the orientation [(±45)4]s was
with the highest Kt around the hole under uniaxial tensile load.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This work is supported by a grant from the National
Science Foundation/EPSCoR Grant #EPS-0091948 and by the
State of South Dakota.

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