A compact presentation of the foundations, current state of the art, recent developments and research directions of all essential techniques related to the mechanics of composite materials and structures. Special emphasis is placed on classic and recently developed theories of composite laminated beams, plates and shells, micromechanics, impact and damage analysis, mechanics of textile structural composites, high strain rate testing and non-destructive testing of composite materials and structures. Topics of growing importance are addressed, such as: numerical methods and optimisation, identification and damage monitoring. The latest results are presented on the art of modelling smart composites, optimal design with advanced materials, and industrial applications. Each section of the book is written by internationally recognised experts who have dedicated most of their research work to a particular field. Readership: Postgraduate students, researchers and engineers in the field of composites. Undergraduate students will benefit from the treatment of the foundations of the mechanics of composite materials and structures.

The Handbook of Polymer Testing: Physical Methods provides virtually currently used techniques for measuring and testing the physical properties of polymers. A concise but detailed technical guide to the physical testing methods of synthetic polymers in plastics, rubbers, cellular materials, textiles, coated fabrics, and composites, the book analyses a wide array of physical parameters and features complete coverage of mechanical, optical, and electrical, and thermal properties. Topics of interest include sample preparation, time-dependent properties, coated fabrics, weathering, permeability, and nondestructive testing.

This book contains a selection of fully peer-reviewed papers which were presented at the 2nd ESIS TC4 Conference, held in Les Diablerets, Switzerland 13 - 15 September 1999. The meeting was designed to reflect the activities of the Committee over the last 15 years, and to plan future activities. The papers have been divided into four chapters under the headings of Composites, Elastic-Plastic Fracture, Adhesion, and Impact and General Fracture. These are convenient groupings, but there are many interactions between the areas, with the common theme of Fracture Mechanics underlying it all.

The use of composites is growing in structural applications in many industries including aerospace, marine, wind turbine and civil engineering. There are uncertainties about the long term performance of these composites and how they will perform under cyclic fatigue loading. Fatigue life prediction of composites and composite structures provides a comprehensive review of fatigue damage and fatigue life prediction methodologies for composites and how they can be used in practice.After an introductory chapter, Part one reviews developments in ways of modelling composite fatigue life. The second part of the book reviews developments in predicting composite fatigue life under different conditions including constant and variable amplitude loading as well as multiaxial and cyclic loading. Part three then describes applications such as fatigue life prediction of bonded joints and wind turbine rotor blades as well as health monitoring of composite structures.With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Fatigue life prediction of composites and composite structures is a standard reference for industry and researchers working with composites and those concerned with the long-term performance and fatigue life of composite components and structures. - Examines past, present and future trends associated with fatigue life prediction of composite materials and structures - Assesses novel computational methods for fatigue life modelling and prediction of composite materials under constant amplitude loading - Specific chapters investigate fatigue life prediction of wind turbine rotor blades and bonded joints in composite structures

The growing use of composites over metals for structural applications has made a thorough understanding of the behaviour of composite joints in various applications essential for engineers, but has also presented them with a new set of problems. Composite joints and connections addresses these differences and explores the design, modelling and testing of bonded and bolted joints and connections.Part one discusses bolted joints whilst part two examines bonded joints. Chapters review reinforcement techniques and applications for composite bolted and bonded joints and investigate the causes and effects of fatigue and stress on both types of joint in various applications and environments. Topics in part one include metal hybridization, glass-reinforced aluminium (GLARE), hybrid fibre metal laminates (FML), glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) and carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. Topics in part two include calculation of strain energy release rates, simulating fracture and fatigue failure using cohesive zone models, marine and aerospace applications, advanced modelling, stress analysis of bonded patches and scarf repairs.Composite joints and connections is a valuable reference for composite manufacturers and composite component fabricators, the aerospace, automotive, shipbuilding and civil engineering industries and for anyone involved in the joining and repair of composite structures. - Explores the design, modelling and testing of bonded and bolted joints and connections - Reviews reinforcement techniques and applications for composite bolted and bonded joints - Investigates the causes and effects of fatigue and stress on bolted and bonded joints in various applications and environments

New strategies on fillers, reinforcements, process modeling and SHM Discusses carbon fiber, ceramic, metal, and wood compositesApplications to wind turbines, aerospace, piping The tenth in an ongoing series, this large volume contains 44 papers published for the first time on the behavior, process modeling and testing of composites, written by well-known researchers from universities and research centers in Japan and Canada. Special attention is given to advances in reinforcements, manufacturing, and sensing methods for SHM of composite processes and damage. Key words include: braided composites, nanotube, graphene nanoplatelet, moisture effects, structural health, functionally graded shells, curvilinear composite, lignin, sensors, piezoelectric, and damage sensing.

Proceedings from the 7th European Conference on Composite Materials, London, UK, 1996