The initiation and progression of damage for simple composite laminates with open holes under tension loading was recorded and observations were correlated with results from experimental measurements, from two-dimensional elasticity theory and from three-dimensional spline variational theory. During an incremental series of monotonic loadings, strain measurements were taken in close proximity to the hole boundary while radiographic images were captured following each loading increment. This information provided a direct comparison between the state of damage and the state of strain. Three laminate stacking sequences were considered: [0_8]_T, [90_8]_T, and [+-45]_(2S). As expected, the initiation of damage and laminate fracture occurred almost simultaneously for the [90_8]_T laminate. Transverse cracking occurred prior to specimen failure for the [0_8]_T and [+-45]_(2S) laminates and is evident in the measured strain behavior. Overall, theoretical strains obtained from spline variational theory agree well with experimental strain measurements at low loadings prior to damage initiation.
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