Stress analysis for an orthotropic plate with an irregular shaped hole for different in-plane loading conditions - Part 1

Space structures are built up using fiber composite material, due to its lightweight. Holes of different shapes are made up due to practical reasons. High stresses will develop at the contour of the hole, and its analysis involves lot of complexity. Singular points are observed near the sharp corners. In the present work, analytical method of solution is used for an irregular shaped hole in an orthotropic laminate. The results are well matching with that of FEM solutions. Analytical method is superior as it facilitates the parametric study of the stress analysis, takes very less time. Making use of Savins's complex variable formulation, two stress potentials are given. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd.