Composite Materials - 2020 entry

This advanced, masters level module, will provide a detail course in the mechanics, manufacturing and design of composite materials. This course will be of great importance to engineers looking to work in the aerospace, automotive industries, where composites useage is every increasing. The module is split between 40% coursework and exam (60%). The coursework will focus on a design for manufacturing and performance of a real world example of an aircraft structure. It will require students to pool all aspects of the degree together, from understanding of materials, fundamental structures and quantative methods for design.

1: Comparison of mechanical properties of composites with other engineering materials:

Introduction and micromechanics

2: Anisotropy:

Introduction and micromechanics

3: Longitudinal and transverse elastic moduli of FRPs:

Introduction and micromechanics

4: Rule of Mixtures:

Introduction and micromechanics

5: Determination of modulus of elasticity as a function of orientation:

Introduction and micromechanics

6: Strength of composites parallel and perpendicular to fibres:

Introduction and micromechanics

7: Krenchel coefficients:

Introduction and micromechanics

8: Load transfer in composites, interfacial shear, critical fibre lengths, critical aspect ratio:

Introduction and micromechanics

9: Inter-laminar shear strength:

Introduction and micromechanics

10: Toughness of composites, Cook-Gordon effect, fracture energy of composites:

Introduction and micromechanics

11: Manufacture of composites:

12: Comparison of carbon fibre laminates and aluminium alloys:

Composite laminates

13: Laminate analysis/ design:

Composite laminates

14: Material coupling:

Composite laminates

15: Failure criteria (strength and stiffness):

Composite laminates

16: Review of sandwich structures:

Sandwich structures

17: Design and analysis of sandwich structures:

Sandwich structures

18: In-plane failure modes:

Sandwich structures

19: Case study example of a honeycomb structure:

Sandwich structures

20: Impact behaviour of composite and sandwich panels:

Sandwich structures

21: Role of NDT in quality control and in in-service inspection of aircraft:

NDT

22: Review of types of defect found in aircraft and their hazards:

NDT

23: X-ray inspection, sources, recording, sensitivity, radiation safety:

NDT

24: Dye penetrant crack detection:

NDT

25: Ultrasonic testing, ultrasonic wave propagation and reflection:

NDT

26: Transducers, coupling. A-scan, b-scan, c-scan, shear wave and surface wave inspection techniques. Electrical methods, eddy current, potential drop, magnetic methods:

NDT

27: Special inspection problems posed by composite materials. “The ageing aircraft programme:

NDT

As the module is assessed by the examination and coursework, the ref/def assessment will be by examination. The candidates will be awarded the ref/def examination mark combined with the original coursework mark.

Web-based and electronic resources:

• ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Reading list for this module: