Dataset on open/blind hole-hole interaction in barely visible impact damaged composite laminates.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Mechanical Engineering
• Composite Materials

Background:

• Carbon Fibre Reinforced Epoxy Composites (CFRE) are advanced materials used in various high-performance applications.
• Understanding the mechanical behaviour of CFRE laminates with structural defects like holes and impact damage is crucial for structural integrity and safety.
• Open and blind holes, along with barely visible impact damage (BVID), significantly affect the load-bearing capacity of composite structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively document the mechanical properties and structural characteristics of CFRE laminates with open/blind holes.
• To investigate the influence of different hole configurations (single, parallel, normal to load) on laminate behaviour.
• To analyze the effects of pristine conditions versus barely visible impact damage (BVID) on mechanical performance.

Main Methods:

• In-plane compression testing was performed on CFRE laminate specimens.
• Mechanical properties including fracture strength, strain at fracture, strain energy density (for resilience and fracture), and stiffness were measured.
• Structural data, including thermographs, images of BVID and drilling-induced damage, and crack propagation videos, were collected.

Main Results:

• The dataset provides quantitative mechanical data (strength, stiffness, strain energy) for various hole setups and damage states.
• Structural data offers visual and thermal insights into damage mechanisms and crack propagation during testing.
• Correlations between structural characteristics and mechanical performance under compression are presented.

Conclusions:

• The mechanical performance of CFRE laminates is significantly influenced by the presence and configuration of holes, as well as impact damage.
• The dataset provides valuable data for validating computational models and designing safer composite structures.
• Further research can utilize this data to optimize CFRE laminate design for specific loading conditions and damage tolerance requirements.