About the Book

Fiber reinforced composite materials are an important class of engineering materials. They offer outstanding mechanical properties, unique flexibility in design capabilities, and ease of fabrication. Additional advantages include light weight, corrosion resistance, impact resistance, and excellent fatigue strength. Fiber composites are routinely used in such diverse applications as automobiles, aircraft, space vehicles, off-shore structures, containers and piping, sporting goods, electronics, and appliances.

About the Author

Bhagwan D. Agarwal Lawrence J. Broutman Professor K. Chandrashekhara

Table of Contents:
1 Introduction. 1.1 Definition. 1.2 Characteristics. 1.3 Classification. 1.4 Particulate Composites. 1.5 Fiber-Reinforced Composites. 1.6 Applications of Fiber Composites. Exercise Problems. References. 2 Fibers, Matrices, and Fabrication of Composites. 2.1 Advanced Fibers. 2.2 Matrix Materials. 2.3 Fabrication of Composites. Suggested Reading. 3 Behavior of Unidirectional Composites. 3.1 Introduction. 3.2 Longitudinal Behavior of Unidirectional Composites. 3.3 Transverse Stiffness and Strength. 3.4 Prediction of Shear Modulus. 3.5 Prediction of Poisson's Ratio. 3.6 Failure Modes. 3.7 Expansion Coefficients and Transport Properties. 3.8 Typical Unidirectional Fiber Composite Properties. Exercise Problems. References. 4 Short-Fiber Composites. 4.1 Introduction. 4.2 Theories of Stress Transfer. 4.3 Modulus and Strength of Short-Fiber Composites. 4.4 Ribbon-Reinforced Composites. Exercise Problems. References. 5 Analysis of an Orthotropic Lamina. 5.1 Introduction. 5.2 Stress--Strain Relations and Engineering Constants. 5.3 Hooke's Law and Stiffness and Compliance Matrices. 5.4 Strengths of an Orthotropic Lamina. Exercise Problems. References. 6 Analysis of Laminated Composites. 6.1 Introduction. 6.2 Laminate Strains. 6.3 Variation of Stresses in a Laminate. 6.4 Resultant Forces and Moments: Synthesis of Stiffness Matrix. 6.5 Laminate Description System. 6.6 Construction and Properties of Special Laminates. 6.7 Determination of Laminae Stresses and Strains. 6.8 Analysis of Laminates after Initial Failure. 6.9 Hygrothermal Stresses in Laminates. 6.10 Laminate Analysis Through Computers. Exercise Problems. References. 7 Analysis of Laminated Plates and Beams. 7.1 Introduction. 7.2 Governing Equations for Plates. 7.3 Application of Plate Theory. 7.4 Deformations Due to Transverse Shear. 7.5 Analysis of Laminated Beams. Exercise Problems. References. 8 Advanced Topics in Fiber Composites. 8.1 Interlaminar Stresses and Free-Edge Effects. 8.2 Fracture Mechanics of Fiber Composites. 8.3 Joints for Composite Structures. Exercise Problems. References. 9 Performance of Fiber Composites: Fatigue, Impact, and Environmental Effects. 9.1 Fatigue. 9.2 Impact. 9.3 Environmental-Interaction Effects. Exercise Problems. References. 10 Experimental Characterization of Composites. 10.1 Introduction. 10.2 Measurement of Physical Properties. 10.3 Measurement of Mechanical Properties. 10.4 Damage Identification Using Nondestructive Evaluation Techniques. 10.5 General Remarks on Characterization. Exercise Problems. References. 11 Emerging Composite Materials. 11.1 Nanocomposites. 11.2 Carbon--Carbon Composites. 11.3 Biocomposites. 11.4 Composites in 20182018Smart'' Structures. Suggested Reading. Appendix 1: Matrices and Tensors. Appendix 2: Equations of Theory of Elasticity. Appendix 3: Laminate Orientation Code. Appendix 4: Properties of Fiber Composites. Appendix 5: Computer Programs for Laminate Analysis. Index.