Presents a summary of the equations governing composite laminates and offers practical methods for analyzing the common types of composite structural elements. This book features practical analysis using Designing Advanced Composites (DAC), a PC-based software on the subject. It is suitable for graduate courses in mechanical engineering.

INTRODUCTION AND PRELIMINARIES Introduction Present Study Mathematical Preliminaries Exercise Problems References for Additional Reading REVIEW OF GOVERNING EQUATIONS Classification of Equations Kinematics Kinetics Constitutive Equations Summary Exercise Problems References for Additional Reading MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS Terminology and Definitions Lamina Constitutive Equations Transformation of Stresses and Strains Constitutive Relations for Plane Stress Exercise Problems References for Additional Reading THEORIES OF LAMINATED PLATES Introduction Classical Laminated Plate Theory The First-Order Shear Deformation Theory Stiffness Characteristics of Selected Lamination Schemes Exercise Problems References for Additional Reading ANALYSIS OF RECTANGULAR PLATES Introduction The Navier Solutions The Lévy Solutions Finite Element Models Computation of Stresses and Strains Example Problems References for Additional Reading FAILURES IN COMPOSITE LAMINATES Introduction Matrix Cracks Delaminations Fiber Pull/Push Out Failure Criteria References for Additional Reading VARIABLE THICKNESS STRUCTURES Introduction Theoretical Background The Effect of Stress Concentration Examples Correlation of Theory and Experiment References for Additional Reading CRASH ANALYSIS Introduction Theoretical Formulation Correlation of Theory and Experiment References for Additional Reading ANALYSIS OF LARGE STRUCTURES Introduction The Substructuring Technique Analysis Considerations The Design of a Bus Structure References for Additional Reading PRACTICAL ANALYSIS WITH DAC Introduction DAC Software DAC Plates/Sandwich Program DAC Reinforced Sandwiches Program Sample Applications Closure References for Additional Reading SUBJECT INDEX