Open Hole Testing Methods for Different Materials: A Review

Abstract

In service failure of the fastened structures is an important concern for the automobile and aerospace industries. The failure of these structures is mainly due to the presence of holes which act as stress concentration sites. These localized stress concentration sites are responsible for crack initiation and propagation. Open hole tests of the structural component under tensile stresses and cyclic loading can help to predict component failure. Studies based on the effect of hole fabrication technique, hole size, specimen dimensions, nature of material, type of loading and strain rate on the tensile and fatigue strength of the component, helps in establishing the failure mechanisms for the component. This review is to understand different open hole tests required to predict the tensile and fatigue strength of aluminium alloys and composite laminates used particularly in automobile and aerospace industries.