An experimental investigation into damage modes and scale effects in CFRP open hole tension coupons

An experimental investigation was conducted to study the effect of notch size and length scale on the damage of carbon fibre-reinforced composite specimens. Open hole tension specimens in a range of configurations were tested quasi-statically to ultimate failure. The load response, damage modes and strain field development were experimentally recorded. The results demonstrated that changing the ply thickness and specimen dimensions markedly affected the damage modes and specimen behaviour. This output provides key insights into the nature of composite behaviour, and is also critical for the development and validation of analysis methodologies capturing damage initiation and progression