Abstract
The effect of pin/hole clearance fits on the elastic membranal behavior of a cross-ply fiber glass-reinforced epoxy laminate plate loaded in tension through a pin is examined by a finite element nonlinear contact analysis. No a priori assumption is made on the distribution of the contact pressure on the surface of the hole. Friction effects are not included. The numerical results correlate well with Hertzian theory of contact. It is demonstrated that clearance increases the peak compressive stress in the plate up to a factor of 3000% with respect to the perfect-fit case. Clearance also shifts the location of the peak tensile stress towards the pin/hole contact arc and decreases its magnitude by 4% with respect to the perfect-fit case. The degree of clearance does not significantly influence the stress distribution in the plate outside the contact arc.