Course syllabus

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Composite Mechanics

TME240 Composite mechanics lp3 VT20 (7.5 hp)

Course is offered by the department of Industrial and Materials Science

Course information

Course aim

The course provides an introduction to the mechanics of composite materials and, in particular, high performance continuous-fibre-reinforced composites. The course will give comprehensive knowledge and understanding of composite and their mechanical behaviour with applications to composite structures common in industrial applications. This will include handbook assessment as well as more modern design evaluation methods such as the Finite Element Method. Different scales, from a single fibre and its interaction with the surrounding matrix via the concept of laminate theory up to an entire structure, will be treated; from micromechanics through levels of homogenisation up to macromechanics. Special emphasis is put on explaining failure mechanisms and modes, i.e. fibre breakage, matrix cracking, elastic buckling and progressive laminate failure.

General learning outcomes (see also detailed learning outcomes)

  • List and explain manufacturing procedures and joining techniques, their applicability and limitations.
  • Explain elastic anisotropy and the special cases relevant for composites: orthotropy and transversal isotropy
  • Explain basic steps in homogenisation of heterogeneous materials including the Voigt and Reuss assumptions. This includes derivation and calculation of engineering constants for a composite ply based on homogenisation of a fibre-matrix unit cell.
  • Derive the coupling between membrane and bending/torsion deformation and related generalised stress resultants (normal force and moment per unit length)
  • Apply classical laminate theory to calculate the stress distribution in a composite laminate subjected to mechanical as well as thermal loads
  • Assess a composite structure with respect to various failure modes based on handbook calculations and FEM.
  • Derive a finite element formulation for a composite plate and use that as basis for implementing code in MATLAB to solve plate problems by FEM.
  • Be able to perform basic FE-analyses of composite structures, using both self-developed MATLAB code and commercial software (ANSYS).

Organisation

The course is organised into lectures, tutorials, computer classes and a seminar. The main theory is presented in the lectures and exemplified during the tutorials. During the tutorials, also a significant amount of student ‘self-activity’ is planned. In addition, three graded computer assignments, which should be solved in groups of two students (no more, no less), will be given in the course as part of the examination.

Course literature

  • Analysis and Performance of Fiber Composites (4th ed), B.D. Agarwal, L.J. Broutman and K. Chandrashekhara, John Wiley & sons, New York, 2006. (Available at Cremona) – Recommended and permissible aid at the exam.
  • Lecture notes (to be made available at the internal pages on the course homepage) – permissible aid at the exam.

Examination

The main course work consists of three optional computer assignments. A written report for each assignment must be submitted by the deadline (see course schedule). The assignments are graded and will then give maximum 3 credit points each. Altogether, 9 credit points can thus be obtained towards the final grade, see below. These points will remain valid until the course is given next time.

The final written exam takes place in the afternoon on Wednesday, 18 March (computer rooms are planned). Permissible aids during the exam are: course literature, tables of mathematics and physics (such as Standard Mathematical Tables), Chalmers-approved pocket calculator (Casio FX82..., Texas TI30... and Sharp ELW531/ELW531...) and MATLAB via the computers in the rooms were the exam is to be held. The exam comprises questions/problems which altogether can give 9 credit points.

The final course grade is given as a combination of the credit points obtained at the exam and from the computer assignments according to the table below:

Required points                                     Chalmers grade
<10                                                                 U
10 (minimum 3 from final exam)   3
13                                                                    4
16                                                                    5

NOTE: To obtain passing grade it is necessary to obtain at least 3 points in the final exam as well as (partial) completion of at least one computer assignment.

Scheduled consultation

For questions outside the lecture room, we kindly ask you to primarily respect the scheduled times each week according to:

          Leif Asp:                           Fridays 13-14

          Brina Blinzler:              Mondays 13-14

          David Carlstedt:         Tuesday 13-14

          Shanghong Duan:       Wednesdays 13-14

          Johanna Xu:                   Thursdays 13-14

Please note that these times are subject to change. We will adapt after your needs and our schedules. If you for some reason want/need to ask a question at another time, please first make an appointment or accept the fact that the teacher might be occupied with other things.

Schedule

TimeEdit

 

Link to the syllabus on Studieportalen.

Study plan

Course summary:

Date Details Due