Assignment 5 : ME 607 : Introduction to Composite Materials

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10.

Derive expressions for longitudinal and transverse Youngs modulii of a lamina in

terms of Youngs modulii of fiber and matrix and volume fraction.
What is the significance of critical fiber volume fraction in FRP composites?
Derive the expression for critical volume fraction of a lamina.
Composites with zero or near zero thermal expansion coefficients are attractive in
space applications. Determine the volume fraction of graphite fibers for which the
coefficient of thermal expansion in the longitudinal direction of a unidirectional
graphite epoxy lamina will be zero. Given, Ef=230 GPa; f =-1.3
m/m/0C;Em=3.4 GPa; m= 63 m/m/0C;
Generally the tensile strength of a dry bundle of fibers will be less than that of a
unidirectional fiber matrix lamina. Explain the reason.
Show that for symmetric laminates the coupling stiffnesses, Bij must all be equal
to zero. Show that for an anti symmetric angle ply laminate there is no shear
extension coupling as well as bending twisting coupling.
For a two ply [+/- ] laminate, determine the angle for which the laminate will
have maximum shear stiffness.
What is ineffective length of a fiber? Using simple shear lag model derive an
expression for fiber stress ahead of fiber break in terms of nominal fiber stress
(away from the break) in case of a broken fiber in a matrix.
A laminate consists of two equal thickness isotropic layers of properties as shown
in the figure. Determine all the terms of [A], [B] and [D] matrices in terms of E,
and t.

Evaluate [B] matrix for a [+45/-45] laminate in terms of lamina engineering

properties E1 , E2, 12 , G12 and lamina thickness t.
For the [0/902/0] Graphite/Epoxy laminate, determine the first ply failure (FPF)
load when the laminate is subjected to uniaxial load N x. Thickness of each lamina
is
0.125
mm.
Given
for
a
00
Graphite/Epoxy
lamina

T
1 u

(i)
(ii)

11.

140.9
3.0
0

3 .0
10.1

1500 MPa;

0
T
2

0
0
5.0

kN / mm 2

50 MPa; 1c 1500 MPa; 2c 250 MPa; 12 u 70 MPa;

u

Write down the modified stiffness matrix considering full degradation

after FPF and show the percentage reduction in equivalent Youngs
modulus (Ex) of the laminate after FPF.
Determine the thermal residual stresses in the laminate layers when it
experiences a temperature change of T=100 0C. Also determine the
modified FPF load considering thermal and uniaxial mechanical loading.

Consider a cross-ply symmetric laminate [0/90] s made of graphite-epoxy.

Thickness of each layer is 0.125mm. The reduced stiffness matrix for a 0 0
unidirectional graphite-epoxy lamina is
140
3

3
10.1
0

0 x10 3 N / mm 2 .The laminate is subjected to an axial load of 100

5

N/mm only. Assume a linearly varying shear stress xy in the boundary layer
region and find out the interlaminar shear stresses developed at the free edge of
the laminate.
12.

A [0/90]s laminate is clamped on all sides to a rigid frame and undergoes a

temperature change of T as shown in the figure. Obtain an expression for the
force Nx developed in terms of T, the engineering properties of the lamina (E1 ,
E2, 12 , G12 )and its coefficients of thermal expansions 1 and 2.