International Conference on Composite Structures (9th) Held at the University of Paisley, Scotland on September 1997
Abstract
It is also timely to reflect upon the issues which have ben addressed over the years in the ICCS series of biennial conference. Since the first event in 1981 there have been many advances in the field of composite structures. Fibrous forms of reinforcement have been developed which are stronger and stiffer than before. Matrix materials are tougher with enhanced resistance to a wide variety of environmental influences. Analytical models are far more sophisticated, leading to greater understanding of the physical behaviour of load bearing composites. All of these factors, along with tremendous advances in computational power, allows today's designers of composite structures unprecedented flexibility and scope. In particular, finite element modelling techniques have become a formidable tool in the design process with PC-based systems more than adequate for all but the most complicated problems. However, before being carried away on an analytical sea of euphoria it is worth remembering that experimental evidence to corroborate theoretical predictions is still unavailable in many instances. Clearly considerable caution must be exercised if complicated compo- site structures are being designed using software that has been validated using much simpler benchmarks.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA342408
Entities
People
- I. H. Marshall