MAE 4130

Mechanics of Composite Structures

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2016-2017.

Covers the fundamentals of mechanical analysis and material selection for composite materials. Topics include an overview of composite types, advantages, applications and fabrication; anisotropic elasticity; specific composite constitutive equations including plane stress and lamination theory; failure analysis; boundary value problems using composite materials; experimental methods and an introduction to micromechanics. Lectures cover essential background material and theoretical developments. Labs provide hands-on experiences for understanding composite materials properties and performance.

When Offered Fall.

Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite: MAE 2120 and MAE 3250, strictly enforced.

Satisfies Requirement Satisfies Senior Design requirement if enrolled in MAE 4131.

• Students will understand the advantages, the potential applications and the fabrication methods associated with several classes of composite materials.
• Be able to conduct critical mechanical analyses associated with the deformation and failure of composites accounting specifically for characteristic property anisotropy.
• Be able to approximate composite mechanical properties based on properties of constituent phases. Understand mechanical tests employed to measure composite properties.
• Be able to properly select composite materials for mechanical designs and to understand the advantages and liabilities of employing composites over monolithic materials.

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