MEC6406   Engineering Composite Materials   (10 credits)

Description

The module has both taught and research elements. Taught element: In the taught element different types of composites and their manufacturing processes are introduced. It involves prediction of the bulk properties of the fibre reinforced composites using the properties of its constituents and simplified micro models. Micro-mechanical models are introduced for the prediction of stiffness and failure properties of individual unidirectional plies. Classical laminate theory is then used to evaluate the stiffness and strength of laminates with different lay-ups of constituent plies. Assignment Element: An individual assignment will be set to allow students to research and produce an innovative design for a composite material component. The material and process conditions must be carefully researched and the most appropriate selected and described in detail. The use of the predictive models described covered in the lectures will be required in order to predict the properties of the component which is designed. The main objective of the assignment is for the students to learn to obtain information and to apply it to solve a practical problem. It also reduces the contribution of a single exam on the assessment and provides a different method of assessing the capabilities of the students on a broader basis. The assignment is an individual effort.

Reading List