STRUCTURAL DESIGN WITH FIBROUS COMPOSITES
Abstract
The problem of designing structures with fibrous composite materials was examined, with the view that constituent materials and the means of forming a composite from them are well-enough established to be assured of repeatable properties. There was no intent to deal with questions of filament or matrix development, or to deal with specific materials; on the other hand, in examining design problems and potentials it was inevitable that the influence of glass, boron, and graphite fibers, and resin matrices would be strong. The advantages which can accrue from the use of filamentary composites were briefly reviewed, and confirmed as outstanding in many cases. The substantial progress made to date in limited applications is recognized, but the report concentrates on what must be done to benefit as fully as possible from these new materials and to minimize need for 'cut-and-try' approaches to design objectives. Accordingly, major design difficulties were sought out and defined. Important among these is the current difficulty in standardizing on the tests needed to characterize many of the important composite material properties and in predicting them by theoretical analyses. To load transfer problem was cited as major, with only limited successes to date. Design with composites was recognized as being more intimately bound to fabrication than is design with conventional materials, and the need for design handbooks and specifications was identified as one part of an important communications, education, and acceptance problem. No attempt was made to give priority to the various research efforts cited by the Committee as necessary.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0682493