Fatigue in Composites: Science and Technology of the Fatigue Response of Fibre-Reinforced Plastics (Woodhead Publishing Series in Composites Science and Engineering) - Hardcover

Bryan Harris

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 185573608X ISBN 13: 9781855736085

Publisher: Woodhead Publishing, Ltd., 2003

Synopsis

This major handbook is the first authoritative survey of current knowledge of fatigue behaviour of composites. It deals in detail with a wide range of problems met by designers in the automotive, marine and structural engineering industries. Compiled from the contributions of some of the best-known researchers in the field, it provides an invaluable, practical and encyclopaedic handbook covering recent developments.

Key Features: comprehensively discusses the problems of fatigue in composites met by designers in the aerospace, marine and structural engineering industries; provides a general introduction on fatigue in composites before reviewing current research on micromechanical aspects; analyses various types of composites with respect to fatigue behaviour and testing and provides in-depth coverage of life-prediction models for constant variable stresses.

Contents: Part 1 Introduction to fatigue in composites: A historical review of the fatigue behaviour of fibre-reinforced plastics; Fatigue test methods, problems and standards; Fatigue under multiaxial stress systems. Part 2 Micromechanical aspects of fatigue in composites: The effects of aggressive environments on long-term behaviour; The effect of interface on the fatigue performance of fibre composites; Delamination fatigue; The fatigue of hybrid composites; Non-destructive evaluation of damage accumulation. Part 3 Fatigue in different types of composites: Short-fibre thermoset composites; Woven-fibre thermoset composites; Fatigue of thermoplastic composites; Fatigue of wood and wood panel products. Part 4 Life-prediction methods for constant stress and variable stress: Physical modelling of damage development in structural composite materials under stress; Micromechanical models; A computational meso-damage model for life prediction for laminates; A statistical study of the fatigue performance of fibre-reinforced composite laminates; Analysis of matrix crack-induced delamination in composite materials under static and fatigue loading; Fatigue strength of composites under variable plane stress; Life prediction under service loading spectra; A parametric constant-life model for prediction of the fatigue lives of fibre-reinforced plastics; A neural-network approach to fatigue-life prediction; The fatigue performance of composite structural components; Fatigue of joints in composite structures; Fatigue in filament-wound structures; Fatigue of FRP composites in civil engineering applications; Fatigue in aerospace applications; Fatigue and durability of marine composites.

About this title

About the Author

Professor Bryan Harris graduated in Industrial Metallurgy from the University of Birmingham, subsequently taking a PhD at Cambridge University and a DSc, again from Birmingham. After working in industry for ICI Metals Division in Birmingham, followed by a spell at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, Connecticut, USA, Professor Harris returned to academia, developing a keen interest in the field of composite materials. In 1976 he was appointed Professor of Materials Science at Bath University where he is now Professor Emeritus. He retains his interest in composite materials, with special emphasis on fatigue, fracture and non-destructive evaluation, but he has also at various times worked on the manufacturing of polymer-, ceramic and metal-matrix composites. From 1984-1999 he was Editor-in-Chief of the international journal Composites Science & Technology. He is currently Materials Consultant for Buro Happold Civil Engineers Ltd.

From the Back Cover

This major handbook is the first authoritative survey of the current understanding of fatigue behaviour in composites. It deals in detail with a wide range of problems met by designers in the aerospace, marine and structural engineering industries.

Fibre composites, like metals, exhibit a form of degradation in service which may be described as 'fatigue'. The mechanisms by which this deterioration occurs in composites are quite different from, and much more complicated than, those which are responsible for fatigue phenomena in metals, but the problems facing the designer are similar. The challenge for the engineer is to specify materials and use them in such a way as to avoid failures within the design life of a component or structure.

It is of paramount importance for engineers to understand fatigue in composites because it can be a causative agent in design failures some of which - for example in aircraft, can be catastrophic. By increasing their knowledge and awareness of the mechanisms that result in degradation during service, and developing the ability to predict the life of a given composite under specified conditions, engineers will be able to produce materials with more desirable characteristics.

The aim of this handbook is to provide the first wide-ranging account of current research, from internationally recognised authors, into all aspects of this increasingly important field.

The book is divided into four main parts.

Part 1 gives a general introduction to fatigue in composites, providing background information on basic mechanics and analysis.

Part 2 is a more focussed review of current research on micromechanical aspects.

Part 3 gives analysis of various types of composites with respect to fatigue behaviour and testing are then duly treated.

Part 4 An in-depth coverage of life-prediction models for constant and variable stresses is then presented.
The final chapters give an overview of the wider range of problems met by designers in aerospace, marine, and structural engineering.

Compiled from contributions of some of the most eminent researchers in the field, it provides an invaluable, practical and encyclopaedic handbook for designers as well as an authoritative reference source for materials scientists.

Edition details

• Publisher: Woodhead Publishing, Ltd.
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 185573608X
• ISBN 13: 9781855736085
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 766
• Editor: Bryan Harris, B. Harris