Unit information: Laminate analysis and modelling in 2014/15

Unit name	Laminate analysis and modelling
Unit code	AENGM0017
Credit points	10
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Professor. Allegri
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None.
Co-requisites	None.
School/department	Department of Aerospace Engineering
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering

Description including Unit Aims

This is a compulsory 10 cp unit which is part of the 180 cp MRes in Composites Manufacture, within the compulsory taught component of the EngD programme in Composites Manufacture.

The purpose of the unit is to equip the Research Engineer with the basic essential tools for analysis and prediction of the elastic and failure properties of laminated composites. It will initiate the familiarisation process for use of commercially available laminate analysis packages, with the view of use in industry context. The role of laminate analysis in more complex modelling of the mechanical behaviour of laminated composites, and in design, will be explored.

The aims of this unit are to:

1. Provide the Research Engineers with the basic means of calculating the effects of the change of lay-up on the anisotropic elastic properties of laminated composites
2. Provide the Research Engineers with the basic means of calculating the effects of the change of lay-up on the anisotropic strength properties of laminated composites
3. Introduce suitable software tools available for laminate analysis
4. Demonstrate the use of laminate analysis for modelling the response of composite structures to mechanical loading

Intended Learning Outcomes

The students will be able to:

1. Calculate stiffness and strength of laminated composites as functions of lay-up and the choice of constituent materials
2. Understand some of the issues and methodologies involved in the selection of composite lay-up for specific applications
3. Demonstrate awareness of commercially available software tools for laminate analysis and ability to use selected packages

The learning outcomes align to A1 and B2 of the UK-SPEC.

Teaching Information

• 18 lectures
• 1 specialist external lecture
• Software demonstrations
• Class exercises

Assessment Information

Report on Computer Assignment (85%)1 20 minute Assessed Presentation (15%)2

Note 1: This assessment will develop the student’s theoretical understanding of the nature of, and the interactions between, the components of fibre reinforced polymer composites.

Note 2: The marks awarded for the 20 minute presentation (15 minute presentation and 5 minutes for technical questions) will be equally distributed between academic and peer review assessment. This method of assessment was designed with the size of the cohort in mind (10 students) and provides them with an excellent opportunity to develop and build on their transferable skills.

Reading and References

• Course book : “Fundamentals of fibre reinforced composite materials” by A R Bunsell and J Renard, IoP

• “An introduction to Composite Materials” by D Hull and T W Clyne, 2nd edition, CUP