Mechanics of Polymer Composite Structures

This course covers the intricate mechanics of fiber-reinforced polymer composite structures. It provides a deep dive into the concepts of micromechanics and macromechanics, illustrating how these composites exhibit anisotropic properties. The course further explores the concept of anisotropic elasticity, explaining the necessity of 21 independent elastic constants to comprehend the stress-strain relationship. It also sheds light on the planes of material property symmetry, leading to a reduction in the number of required independent elastic constants. The course then transitions to the macromechanics of lamina, discussing Hooke's law for 2-dimensional unidirectional lamina and the development of the stiffness and compliance matrix for a lamina. The course concludes by examining the influence of fiber angles on the behavior of a lamina.