Stress and Failure Analysis of Laminated Composite Structures

In Stress and Failure Analysis of Laminated Composite Structures, you'll learn ...

• Understanding the differences between isotropic, orthotropic and anisotropic material behavior
• Having knowledge of the material constants required to define Hooke's law for an orthotropic lamina (ply)
• Understanding the restrictions on the material constants required in evaluating experimental data
• Knowing the difference between reference and natural (material) coordinates for an orthotropic lamina

Overview

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Credit: 6 PDH

Length: 91 pages

This course focuses on presenting a well established computational method for calculating stresses/strains in reinforced laminated composite structures. The basis for the presented computational method is often referred to as classical lamination theory. A clear understanding of this approach is supported by the development of the fundamental mechanics of an orthotropic lamina (ply). Various failure theories are presented each requiring that stresses/strains be quantified on a ply-by-ply basis in order to make failure predictions. Both applied loads and hygrothermal (thermal and moisture) effects are treated in the computational procedure. The stress and failure prediction methodology presented in this course is particularly important during the preliminary design phase of laminated composite structures.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the differences between isotropic, orthotropic, and anisotropic material behavior.
• Describe the material constants required to define Hooke's law for an orthotropic lamina (ply).
• Explain the restrictions on the material constants required in evaluating experimental data.
• Describe the difference between reference and natural (material) coordinates for an orthotropic lamina.
• Explain the stress-strain relations in reference and natural coordinates for an orthotropic lamina.
• Describe the coordinate transformations used in transforming stresses and/or strains from one coordinate system to another.
• Explain generally the types of tests performed to determine the stiffness and strength properties of an orthotropic lamina.
• Describe a number of biaxial strength (failure) theories used in the design of laminated composite structures.
• Explain which in-plane strength quantities are needed, as a minimum, in applying various failure theories.
• Describe the difference between separable and generalized failure theories.
• Explain that the maximum stress and maximum strain failure theories make similar predictions except under certain material behavior.
• Describe under what conditions the Chang failure criteria reduce to the Hashin failure criteria.
• Explain the basis for the fact that the Tsai-Wu failure criteria are more general than the Tsai-Hill failure criteria.
• Describe the effect of the direction of shear stress on lamina strength.
• Explain the laminate orientation code used to define stacking sequence.
• Describe a number of special laminate constructions designed to eliminate undesirable composite material behavior.
• Explain the computational procedure for determining the stresses/strains in a laminated composite subject to applied loads and/or hygrothermal effects.
• Describe the limitations of classical lamination theory.

Certificate of Completion

You will be able to immediately print a certificate of completion after passing a multiple-choice quiz consisting of 30 questions. PDH credits are not awarded until the course is completed and quiz is passed.