Composite materials are increasingly used in aerospace, underwater, and automotive structures. To take advantage of the full potential of composite materials, structural analysts and designers must have accurate mathematical models and design methods at their disposal. The objective of this monograph is to present the laminated plate theories and their finite element models to study the deformation, strength and failure of composite structures. Emphasis is placed on engineering aspects, such as the analytical descriptions, effective analysis tools, modeling of physical features, and evaluation of approaches used to formulate and predict the response of composite structures. The first chapter presents an overview of the text. Chapter 2 is devoted to the introduction of the definitions and terminology used in composite materials and structures. Anisotropic constitutive relations and Iaminate plate theories are also reviewed. Finite element models of laminated composite plates are presented in Chapter 3. Numerical evaluation of element coefficient matrices, post-computation of strains and stresses, and sample examples of laminated plates in bending and vibration are discussed. Chapter 4 introduces damage and failure criteria in composite laminates. Finally, Chapter 5 is dedicated to case studies involving various aspects and types of composite structures. Joints, cutouts, woven composites, environmental effects, postbuckling response and failure of composite laminates are discussed by considering specific examples.

Composite Laminated: Theories and Their Applications presents the latest methods for analyzing composite laminates and their applications. The title introduces the most important analytical methods in use today, focusing on fracture, damage, multi-physics and sensitivity analysis. Alongside these methods, it presents original research carried out over two decades on laminated composite structures and gives detailed coverage of laminate theories, analytic solutions and finite element models. Specific chapters cover An introduction to composites, Elasticity, Shear, State space theory, Layerwise theories, The extended layerwise method, Fracture and damage mechanics, Multi-physical fracture problems, Analytical methods of stiffened sandwich structures, Progressive failure analysis, and more. This volume offers a comprehensive guide to the state-of-the-art in the analysis and applications of composite laminates, which play a critical role in all types of engineering, from aerospace to subsea structures, including in medical prosthetics, circuit boards and sports equipment. - Presents a guide to the analysis and application of advanced composite materials - Gives detailed exposition of plate/shell theories and their implementation in finite element code architecture - Considers the robustness, effectiveness and applications aspects of laminated plate/shell methods - Gives hands-on experience of code architecture, providing composite analysis software which can be plugged in to commercial applications - Presents experimental research alongside methods, laminate theories, analytic solutions, and finite element models

This book has one single purpose: to present the development of the partial hybrid finite element method for the stress analysis of laminated composite structures. The reason for this presentation is because the authors believe that partial hybrid finite element method is more efficient that the displacement based finite element method for the stress analysis oflaminated composites. In fact, the examples in chapter 5 of this book show that the partial hybrid finite element method is about 5 times more efficient than the displacement based finite element method. Since there is a great need for accurate and efficient calculation of interlaminar stresses for the design using composites, the partial hybrid finite method does provide one possible solution. Hybrid finite method has been in existence since 1964 and a significant amount of work has been done on the topic. However, the authors are not aware of any systematic piece of literature that gives a detailed presentation of the method. Chapters of the displacement finite element method and the evolution 1 and 2 present a sununary of the hybrid finite element method. Hopefully, these two chapters can provide the readers with an appreciation for the difference between the displacement finite element method and the hybrid finite element. It also should prepare the readers for the introduction of partial hybrid finite element method presented in chapter 3.

Structural Analysis Systems: Software—Hardware Capability—Compatibility—Applications, Volume 2 is a practical guidebook on structural analysis systems and their applications. It provides detailed information about a specific software, its postprocessor capabilities and limitations, computer-aided design connection, and compatibility with the most common computers. Several practical examples from industry with computer and user cost are given. This volume consists of 17 chapters and begins with a description of AFAG, a dual finite element analysis program based on the flexibility method. The discussion then turns to the AQUADYN system, designed primarily to reduce the hydrodynamics problem to a linear integral equation for large floating or immersed structures. The following chapters focus on other structural analysis computer programs such as BOSOR4 and BOSOR5, INFESA, MEF/MOSAIC, RCAFAG, and STRUGEN. Some general purpose and special purpose finite element programs used for stress analysis of composite materials are also considered. This book will be a useful resource for practitioners in scientific and industrial disciplines such as mechanical or civil engineering, informatics, applied mathematics, and computer science.

Conference proceedings from the American Society of Composites, Tenth Technology Proceedings: Composite Materials, Mechanics and Processing on October 18-20, 1995 at the Miramar Sheraton Hotel Santa Monica, California

Finite Element Analysis of Polymers and its Composites offers up-to-date and significant findings on the finite element analysis of polymers and its composite materials. It is important to point out, that to date, there are no books that have been published in this concept. Thus, academicians, researchers, scientists, engineers, and students in the similar field will benefit from this highly application-oriented book. This book summarizes the experimental, mathematical and numerical analysis of polymers and its composite materials through finite element method. It provides detailed and comprehensive information on mechanical properties, fatigue and creep behaviour, thermal behaviour, vibrational analysis, testing methods and their modeling techniques. In addition, this book lists the main industrial sectors in which polymers and its composite materials simulation is used, and their gains from it, including aeronautics, medical, aerospace, automotive, naval, energy, civil, sports, manufacturing and even electronics. Expands knowledge about the finite element analysis of polymers and composite materials to broaden application range Presents an extensive survey of recent developments in research Offers advancements of finite element analysis of polymers and composite materials Written by leading experts in the field Provides cutting-edge, up-to-date research on the characterization, analysis, and modeling of polymeric composite materials

Over the last few decades, uncertainty quantification in composite materials and structures has gained a lot of attention from the research community as a result of industrial requirements. This book presents computationally efficient uncertainty quantification schemes following meta-model-based approaches for stochasticity in material and geometric parameters of laminated composite structures. Several metamodels have been studied and comparative results have been presented for different static and dynamic responses. Results for sensitivity analyses are provided for a comprehensive coverage of the relative importance of different material and geometric parameters in the global structural responses.

Finite Element Analysis represents a numerical technique for finding approximate solutions to partial differential equations as well as integral equations, permitting the numerical analysis of complex structures based on their material properties. This book presents 20 different chapters in the application of Finite Elements, ranging from Biomedical Engineering to Manufacturing Industry and Industrial Developments. It has been written at a level suitable for use in a graduate course on applications of finite element modelling and analysis (mechanical, civil and biomedical engineering studies, for instance), without excluding its use by researchers or professional engineers interested in the field, seeking to gain a deeper understanding concerning Finite Element Analysis.

The second edition of this popular text provides complete, detailed coverage of the various theories, analytical solutions, and finite element models of laminated composite plates and shells. The book reflects advances in materials modeling in general and composite materials and structures in particular. It includes a chapter dedicated to the theory and analysis of laminated shells, discussions on smart structures and functionally graded materials, exercises and examples, and chapters that were reorganized from the first edition to improve the clarity of the presentation.

^ p="" This highly informative and carefully presented volume highlights the impact behavior of fibre reinforced polymer composites. It begins with a preliminary focus on FRP materials, fabrication processes, micro- and macro- mechanics to calculate FRP laminates properties, damage nodes associated with FRP composites under different loadings. It provides a simple and unified approach to cover aspects of FRP composites behavior with low velocity impact loading. This book offers a valuable guide for those who wish to develop deeper insights into weaving architectures, stacking sequences, fabrication processes, general damage modes associated with FRP composites. It is a useful volume for students, academia and industry alike. ^