Practical Analysis of Composite Laminates

J. N. Reddy, Antonio Miravete

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2018
• eBook ISBN: 9781351423045
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Civil Engineering
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Composite materials are increasingly used in aerospace, underwater, and automotive structures. They provide unique advantages over their metallic counterparts, but also create complex challenges to analysts and designers. Practical Analysis of Composite Laminates presents a summary of the equations governing composite laminates and provides practical methods for analyzing most common types of composite structural elements. Experimental results for several types of structures are included, and theoretical and experimental correlations are discussed. The last chapter is devoted to practical analysis using Designing Advanced Composites (DAC), a PC-based software on the subject. This comprehensive text can be used for a graduate course in mechanical engineering, and as a valuable reference for professionals in the field.

Chapter One

INTRODUCTION AND PRELIMINARIES

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Composite materials are those that consist of two or more constituent materials that together produce desirable properties for a given application. The traditional mixture of sand and cementing materials and reinforced steel bars embedded in concrete provide familiar examples of composite materials. Fiber–reinforced composite materials are the most commonly used modern composite materials that consist of high strength and high modulus fibers in a matrix material. In these composites, fibers are the principal load–carrying members, and the matrix material keeps the fibers together, acts as a load–transfer medium between fibers, and protects fibers from being exposed to environment (e.g., moisture, humidity, etc.). It is known that fibers are stiffer and stronger than the same material in bulk form, whereas matrix materials have their usual bulk–form properties. Geometrically, fibers have near crystal–sized diameter and a very high length–to–diameter ratio. Short fibers, called whiskers, paradoxically exhibit better properties than long fibers. Long fibers are used in straight form or woven form.

The fibers and matrix materials used in composites are either metallic or nonmetallic. The fiber materials in use are common metals like aluminum, copper, iron, nickel, steel, and titanium, and organic materials like glass, carbon, boron, and...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Table of Contents
• 1 INTRODUCTION AND PRELIMINARIES
• 2 REVIEW OF GOVERNING EQUATIONS
• 3 MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS
• 4 THEORIES OF LAMINATED PLATES
• 5 ANALYSIS OF RECTANGULAR PLATES
• 6 FAILURES IN COMPOSITE LAMINATES
• 7 VARIABLE THICKNESS STRUCTURES
• 8 CRASH ANALYSIS
• 9 ANALYSIS OF LARGE STRUCTURES
• 10 PRACTICAL ANALYSIS WITH DAC
• SUBJECT INDEX