Strength of mechanically fastened composites

In this study, the bearing strength and shape of damage on composite plates which made of different weaving density with pins were investigated experimentally.Fiber and matrix materials are selected as glass fibers and epoxy resin, respectively. 300, 500 and 800 gr/m2 of woven fabrics were used. Layers numbers for each composite are selected to provide about the same product thickness. The plates were produced by using the method of vacuum infüzyon. The influence of weaving density was investigated by determining material specification of each composite produced. Plates were drilled by cutting the sample size of 5 mm in diameter and applied to the tensile load with the help of a steel pin. In the pin samples, the sample width (W) and the distance from the center diameter hole to the free edge (E) is selected as a parameter. For each sample, the bearing strenght and shape of damage are determined and commented.It was observed that the bearing strength is highly dependent of the parameters E and W. In addition, woven fabric density affect to the material specifications.Keywords: Composite plates, damage analysis, pin joint