Modern Trend in Composite Laminates Mechanics
July 22, 2002 — July 26, 2002
Coordinators:
- Wilfried Becker (Universitaet Siegen, Siegen, Germany)
- Holm Altenbach (M. Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany)
Due to their superior specific strength and stiffness characteristics and their adaptability to given structural needs composite laminate materials are not only widespread in the fields of aircraft and spacecraft constructions but also gain more spread in the classical fields of mechanical engineering. At the same time the specific demands to the respective composite structures are continuously increasing within each field of application. Correspondingly, a sound understanding of the mechanics of composite laminates becomes important to a continuously increasing group of engineers and with increasing structural demands the methods of mathematical modelling and analysis have to be advanced and have to take into account special effects occurring in connection with the use of composite laminates.
The aim of the course is to give a clear picture of some new modern trends in composite mechanics and to give a presentation of the current state-of-the-art of the theory and application of composite laminates. To this end the team of lecturers has been chosen in such a way that a good variety of problems and aspects is covered and treated in an interdependent and complementary way.
The programme of the course includes the basics as well as recent developments in the theory of laminates and their effective properties, aspects of manufacturing feasibility and costs, the problem of testing and identification of properties, strength, damage, and failure of composite laminates, well-approved lightweight construction principles (e.g. sandwich construction) and their particular mechanics, optimisation techniques, the generation of smart structures, and a number of special technical aspects (e.g. stress localization), their modelling and analysis. The intention of the course is to provide deeper theoretical understanding, to give mathematical and algorithmic techniques for analysis, simulation and optimisation and to link various aspects of composite mechanics as it is necessary to exploit the full potential that is possible for composite structures.
The course is addressed to young researchers, PhD students, and scientists working in the field of composite mechanics, as well as development engineers in fields of industrial applications. No special theoretical background is needed, only the basic knowledge of solid mechanics, mathematics and material science at graduate level is required.