Abstract

Composite mechanics disciplines are presented and described at their various levels of sophistication and attendant scales of application. Correlation with experimental data is used as the prime discriminator between alternative methods and level of sophistication. Major emphasis is placed on (1) where composite mechanics has been; (2) what it has accomplished; (3) where it is headed, based on present research activities; and (4) at the risk of being presumptuous, where it should be headed. The discussion is developed using selected, but typical, examples of each composite mechanics discipline identifying degree of success, with respect to correlation with experimental data, and problems remaining. The discussion is centered about fiber/resin composites drawn mainly from the author's research activities and experience spanning two decades at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Lewis Research Center.

Issue Section:
Research Papers
Keywords:
fiber composites, resin matrices, interply hybrids, intraply hybrids, micromechanics, macromechanics, combined-stress failure, laminate theory, singularity mechanics, life/durability, fracture toughness, damage tolerance, progressive fracture, structural analysis, environmental effects

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