A novel manufacturing technique to improve bearing strength of pin loaded woven composites

Abstract

The bearing strength of pin-loaded woven glass-fibre reinforced epoxy composites was investigated. As an alternative to the hole-drilling procedure, a novel composite manufacturing technique has been implemented for pin-hole creation. The bearing performance of composite joints manufactured using both techniques was compared. Specimen with various edge- distances to pin-hole diameter ratios (e/d) and, width to pin-hole diameter ratios (w/d) were tested. It was observed that composite joints manufactured using the novel technique sustained more load compared to the joints manufactured by the hole-drilling procedure. Geometrical parameters were found to be effective on failure modes, bearing strength and magnitude of sustained load.