Discussion on Session II

DR PEPPIATT

A better assessment of composite failure than treating the transverse tensile (across the

fibres) and the interlaminar shear modes separately (Table 1, Paper 6) is the matrix failure mode suggested by Hashin and Rotem1 which combines the effects of the transverse tensile and interlaminar shear stresses. This failure criterion predicts that matrix failure of the double lap joint occurs at a joint efficiency of 46%.

MR H.L. COX

Paper 5 involves the problem of a chain link. Application of either of the methods in Papers 2 and 4 shows that in fact this stiffened link is equivalent to an isotropic link but very much thicker. Dr Hedley and Mr Owen measured the stress concentration of the inside of the link where it failed. What is the actual stress concentration factor?