MEC613 Mechanics of Composite Materials

FUNDAMENTAL KNOWLEDGE

 What is a composite material?

 Define composite materials. Give examples.

 What are the main four (4) features of a composite material?

 What is a nano-composite material?

 Define nano-composite materials. Give examples.

 What are properties that can be improved by forming a composite material?

 Define homogenous.

 Define inhomogeneous.

 With the aid of a diagram, explain the meaning of homogeneous materials. Give examples.

 With the aid of a diagram, explain the meaning of isotropic materials. Give examples.

 Distinguish the difference between homogeneous and inhomogeneous materials. Sketch and
give examples.

 Distinguish the difference between isotropic and anisotropic materials. Sketch and give
examples.

 What are the three (3) types of matrix that could be used to form composite materials?

 Explain Sij matrix.

 Distinguish the difference between [Cij], [Qij] and [Sij].

 What are main advantages and disadvantages of a composite material?

 Sketch and name 3 types of composite materials.

 State two (2) main advantages of composite materials.

 State two (2) main disadvantages of composite materials.

 Sketch and explain an example of transversely isotropic materials.

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  State i. 3 classifications of composite materials
ii. 3 types of fibers
iii. 3 types of matrix
(hint: sketch the lamina, where possible).

 The element shown in Figure 10 represents an isotropic material, sketch the element that could
represent
o a transversely isotropic material
o an orthotropic material.
σ

σ
o Figure 10

 Explain the meaning of composite materials.

 Sketch and name 3 types of composite materials.

 Sketch and explain an example of transversely isotropic materials.

 Sketch and explain an example of orthotropic materials.

 Sketch and explain an example of monoclinic materials.

 Sketch and explain an example of triclinic materials.

 For an orthotropic material, show and explain how the reduced stiffness matrix, [Q], is derived
from stiffness matrix, [C].
 For a transversely isotropic material, show and explain how the stiffness matrix, [C], for isotropic
material is derived.

 For an anisotropic (triclinic) material, show and explain how the stiffness matrix, [C] for
monoclinic material is derived.

 For a monoclinic material, show and explain how the stiffness matrix, [C] for orthotropic
material is derived.

 For an anisotropic (triclinic) material, show and explain how the reduced stiffness matrix, [Q], is
derived from stiffness matrix, [C].

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 For an isotropic material, show and explain how the reduced stiffness matrix, [Q], is derived
from stiffness matrix, [C].

 For a transversely isotropic material, show and explain how the reduced stiffness matrix, [Q], is
derived from stiffness matrix, [C].

 For a monoclinic material, show and explain how the reduced stiffness matrix, [Q], is derived
from stiffness matrix, [C].

 For an anisotropic (triclinic) material, show and explain how the stiffness matrix, [C] for isotropic
material is derived.

 For an anisotropic (triclinic) material, show and explain how the stiffness matrix, [C] for
orthotropic material is derived.

 Referring to the Mechanics of Materials approach for a fiber-reinforced composite laminate,

derive the equation for Tensile Modulus in direction-1, E1.

 Referring to the Mechanics of Materials approach for a fiber-reinforced composite laminate,

derive the equation for Tensile Modulus in direction-2, E2.

 Referring to the Mechanics of Materials approach for a fiber-reinforced composite laminate,

derive the equation for Poisson’s ratio, ν12.

 Referring to the Mechanics of Materials approach for a fiber-reinforced composite laminate,

derive the equation for the Shear Modulus in plane-12, G12.

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MEC 613 Mechanics of Composite Materials

Chapter 3: Micromechanical Behaviour of a Lamina

Question 1

There are two basic approaches to the micromechanics of composite materials:

1. Mechanics of materials
2. Elasticity

Based on the mechanics of materials approach,

 Prove that E1 = EfVf + EmVm

 Prove that E2 = EfEm /(VmEf + VfEm)

 Prove that ν12 = νfVf + νmVm

 Prove that G12 = GfGm /(VmGf + VfGm)

where
E1 is the Modulus of Elasticity in direction-1
Ef is the Modulus of Elasticity of the fiber
Em is the Modulus of Elasticity of the matrix
Vf is the Volume fraction of fibers
Vm is the Volume fraction of matrix

Question 2

Figure 2 shows the cross-section of a fiber-reinforced composite bar.

W

W = 4 mm
H H = 1 mm
Df = 0.5 mm

Figure 2

The Tensile stiffness, Ef of the fiber is 70 GN/m2, while the Tensile Modulus, Em of the matrix is 3.4
GN/m2.
a) Determine Tensile Modulus in direction-1, E1 of the composite bar.
b) Determine Tensile Modulus in direction-2, E2 of the composite bar.
c) Determine the Poisson’s ratio, ν 12
d) Determine the Shear Modulus in plane-12, G12 of the composite bar.

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 Figure 2 shows the cross-section of a fiber-reinforced composite bar. The Tensile stiffness, Ef of
the fiber is 60 GN/m2, while the Tensile Modulus, Em of the matrix is 4 GN/m2. The νf is 0.38 and
the νm is 0.3

W=10 mm
H=10 mm
H Af=40mm2

Figure 2

a) Determine Tensile Modulus in direction-1, E1 of the composite bar.

b) Determine Tensile Modulus in direction-2, E2 of the composite bar.
c) Determine the Poisson’s ratio, ν12
d) Determine the Shear Modulus in plane-12, G12 of the composite bar.

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  Figure 3 shows the cross-section of a fiber-reinforced composite bar.
W

W = 4 mm
H H = 1 mm
Df = 0.5 mm

Figure 3

The Tensile stiffness, Ef of the fiber is 70 GN/m2, while the Tensile Modulus, Em of the matrix is 3.4
GN/m2.
e) Determine Tensile Modulus in direction-1, E1 of the composite bar.
f) Determine Tensile Modulus in direction-2, E2 of the composite bar.
g) Determine the Poisson’s ratio, ν12
h) Determine the , ν12 Shear Modulus in plane-12, G12 of the composite bar.

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Question 1: Fill in the blanks

a) Composite material means that two or more materials are ___________________ on a

_____________________ scale to form a useful third material.

b) Some of the properties that can be improved by forming a composite material are strength,
_______________________, ___________________________ and
_______________________________.

c) A _______________________ body has uniform properties throughout, i.e., the properties

are independent of position in the body.

d) An anisotropic body has material properties that are different in all _________________ at a
point in the body.

e) The basic building block of a laminate is a __________________, which is a flat

arrangement of unidirectional or woven fibers in a ___________________.

f) Three types of matrix that could be used to form composite materials are
___________________ , ____________________and ______________________.

g) Orthotropic material has _____________ independent constants, while

____________________ isotropic material has 5 independent constants.

h) Commonly, Sij matrix is known as ____________________ matrix and it is the inverse of

__________________ matrix, Cij matrix.

i) Some of the properties that can be improved by forming a composite material are strength,
stiffness, _____________________ and _______________________.
j) A __________________ body has uniform properties throughout, i.e., the properties are
independent of position in the body.
k) An anisotropic body has material properties that are different in all ______________ at a
________________ in the body.
l) The basic building block of a laminate is a _______________, which is a flat arrangement of
____________________ fibers or woven fibers in a ________________.

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m) Orthotropic material has _____________ independent constants, while __________________
isotropic material has ______________ independent constants.
n) Commonly, Sij matrix is known as __________________ matrix and it is the inverse of
_________________ matrix, Cij matrix.
o) An isotropic material has _______ independent constants, which is ______________
________________ and ________________ ratio.

Question 2

a) State two (2) main advantages and disadvantages of composite materials.

(4 marks)

Predict and sketch the deformation of the following laminates under uniaxial tension: i.
[0/45/45/0] ii.[-30/30]
(4 marks)

Predict and sketch the deformation of the following laminates under uniaxial tension: i.
[0/90] ii.[0/-30/30/0]

4. Considering micro-mechanics of a lamina, state the assumptions (basic restrictions) for the mechanics
of materials approach. (10 marks)

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 c) Predict and sketch the deformation of the following laminates under bending load:
i. [0/45/45/0] ii. [0/90]
(4 marks)

c) Predict and sketch the deformation of the following laminates under bending load:
i. [0/0] ii. [-30/30]

Question 3

5. Considering micro-mechanics of a lamina, state the assumptions (basic restrictions) for the mechanics
of materials approach. (4 marks)

The fibers are…..

The matrix is …..

The lamina is…..

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6. State i. 3 classifications of composite materials
ii. 3 types of fibers
iii. 3 types of matrix
(hint: sketch the lamina, where possible) (6 marks)

4. Considering micro-mechanics of a lamina, state the assumptions (basic restrictions) for the mechanics
of materials approach. (10 marks)

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5. Figure 4 shows the cross-section of a fiber-reinforced composite bar.
W
W = 4 mm
H H = 1 mm
Af = 0.8 mm2

Figure 4

The Tensile stiffness, Ef of the fiber is 72 GN/m2, while the Tensile Modulus, Em of the matrix is 3.38
GN/m2.
a) Determine Tensile Modulus in direction-1, E1 of the composite bar.
b) Determine Tensile Modulus in direction-2, E2 of the composite bar, and its non-dimensionless
value. (8 marks)

3. The element shown in Figure Q3 represents an isotropic material, sketch the element that could
represent
(i) a transversely isotropic material
(ii) an orthotropic material. (4 marks)
σ

Figure Q3 σ

σ
Figure Q3

4. Considering the micro-mechanics of a lamina, state the assumptions (basic restrictions) for the
mechanics of materials approach. (6 marks)

The fibers are…..

The lamina is…..

5. Figure Q5 shows the cross-section of a fiber-reinforced composite bar.

W
W = 4 mm
H H = 1 mm
Af = 1 mm2
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 Figure Q5

The Tensile stiffness, Ef of the fiber is 68 GN/m2, while the Tensile Modulus, Em of the matrix is 3.12
GN/m2.
a) Determine Tensile Modulus in direction-1, E1 of the composite bar.
b) Determine Tensile Modulus in direction-2, E2 of the composite bar, and its non-dimensionless
value. (10 marks)

6. State i. 3 classifications of composite materials

ii. 3 types of fibers
iii. 3 types of matrix
(hint: sketch the lamina, where possible) (6 marks)

3. Sketch the following laminates:

i. [0/45]T ii. [45/90/30]S (4 marks)

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