An Investigation on the Pin-Bearing Behavior of Glass-Reinforced Aluminum Laminate

Experiments enforcing bearing load were occupied on GLARE 2A 6/5 laminates in this paper. The damage progression and failure modes of specimens were observed using C-scan, macro photography and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Test results indicate that the damage of those laminates initially occurred as plastic deformation of metal layers, while it progressed, delamination appeared and developed due to plastic deformation becoming larger and bearing loads mainly carried by the matrix of 0° ply. As load increased, matrix in 0° ply cracked, followed by delamination progressed rapidly and few fibers buckled in the region near the hole, triggering final shear-out failure of the laminates. To predict final failure modes and failure loads, a finite element model was developed in which shear-out failure in GLARE laminates are classified as in-ply failure and inter-ply failure, modelled with Hashin criteria in strain form, cohesive element approach and alloy’s plasticity. This model is also capable of predicting the locations where in-ply damage and delamination occur firstly as well as simulating the progression of damage. The calculated results are in good agreement with test results, meaning that the model is able to simulate the behavior of GLARE laminates under bearing load effectively.