MAE 4131

Mechanics of Composite Structures

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2020-2021.

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. Senior Design report required.

When Offered Spring.

Permission Note Enrollment limited to: seniors or permission of instructor.
Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite: MAE 3270, strictly enforced. 

Satisfies Requirement Fulfills senior design requirement.

• 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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