Theoretical Methods for composites

chris85

Hi im doing some work on properties of composite materials and i am using woven fibreglass to make samples to be then tested experimentally.

Does anyone know any way of theoretically predicting different mechanical properties so as to compare to the experimental results. I would be looking for either formulae that can be used or how it can be modelled on a CAD package such as pro engineer.

Cheers for any help you can provide, finding it very hard to find any information regarding this

tak

Hit the college library and search under "Mechanics of Composites".
If there's a materials science or engineering course then borrow a set of notes on the same subject from a student or lecturer.
In these there will be analysis on the mechanical behaviour of the composite under loading and formulae will be derived for stresses & strains on the composite.
From knowledge of the fibre arrangement and individual yield strengths of the matrix and fibre phases you can apply the formulae to calculate the design strength of the composite.

Pingu

Crawfords Polymers book should have everything you're looking for, can't put my hand on mine at the mo, but it should cover what you're looking for.