Engineering Mechanics of Fibre Reinforced Polymers and Composite Structures

Book excerpt: The book aims at giving an overview of current methods in engineering mechanics of FRP components and structures as well as hybrid components and structures. Main emphasis is on basic micro and macro mechanics of laminates. Long as well as short fibre composites are studied, and criteria for different kinds of rupture are treated. Micromechanical considerations for material characterization and mechanisms of static ductile and brittle rupture are studied, as well as FRP structures under thermal and dynamic loading programs. Optimum design and manufacture situations are described as well. The book makes designers familiar with the opportunities and limitations of modern high quality fibre composites. Practical engineering applications of the described analytical and numerical methods are also presented.