ABSTRACT
The stress-strain distributions of notched anisotropic composite laminates of symmetric layup filled with an elliptical reinforcement have been analyzed using a complex variable method. This chapter aims at developing the technology of plug repairs. Since most damaged areas in composite structures are small compared to the size of the structures, one only needs to analyze infinite-width composite laminates containing an inclusion, or reinforcement. Analyses are performed for anisotropic and orthotropic laminates containing an elliptical reinforcement and subjected to combined in-plane loading. The stress distributions are applied in conjunction with the minimum strength model (MSM) for strength prediction. Experimental data for notched orthotropic laminates under uniaxial tensile and compressive loadings are utilized to examine the reliability and accuracy of the MSM, which has been used with two failure criteria. Then the model is extended to the case of laminates containing a reinforcement.
