Introduction to Process and Mechanical Modelling of Engineering Composites

Engineering fibre reinforced composites offer many advantages compared to isotropic metals, but their versatility also creates difficulties for their effective manufacture and design. Amongst these selection of the right fibre-matrix combination for a specific application must consider performance under static and possibly dynamic impact loading conditions, and selection of the most suitable manufacturing route for the required production volume and final part quality. This book introduces the reader to a wide variety of analysis methods that undertake both process and mechanical analysis of advanced composites to support composites design. Chapters are structured to introduce key topics, including an overview on composites and their analysis, micromechanics, macromechanical laminate analysis and two chapters dedicated to finite element FE theory with a focus on composites. This provides the background for chapters dedicated to process modelling of draping, forming and infusion, followed by mechanical modelling of failure, impact and crash. Throughout the book necessary theory, experimental tests for properties, constitutive modelling and numerical methods are elaborated. With applications and worked examples included to help exemplify the theory and numerical methods applied. The book is intended for graduate and post graduate students requiring a broad understanding of modern numerical methods for engineering FRP composites analysis. It will also provide a comprehensive overview for researchers and practicing engineers in this field. A compendium to this book has also been published (Part 2. Analysis Tutorials) that contains a set of ten structured tutorials covering mechanical, laminate, drape and infusion analysis. One aim of these tutorials is to use freely available software from the web that do not have licensing restrictions, allowing the student to experiment with modern finite element codes.