Hole effects on lateral buckling of laminated cantilever beams

In this study, the effects of hole diameter and hole location on the lateral buckling behaviour of woven fabric laminated composite cantilever beams have been investigated. In the experimental studies two, different groups of samples were used; samples with a single circular hole and samples with no hole. The critical buckling load for each sample was then determined experimentally. For the numerical analyses, ANSYS 10.0 finite element program was utilized. It has been noted that there is a good agreement between experimental results and those of finite element analyses. On the basis of this harmony, the numerical analyses of some models having different dimensions and fiber orientations have been done by changing length and width of the beam, diameter and location of the hole. It has been concluded that the effects of the hole diameter and hole location on the lateral buckling behaviours is very important, especially for the short beams. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved