Last modified: 22 May 2019 17:07
Advanced materials underpin many industry sectors and are viewed as one of the key enabling technologies that can help address environmental, economic and social challenges the society is facing. Lightweight materials such as composites applied to vehicles, structures and devices can help reduce energy consumption and emissions, and increase energy efficiency. The aim of this course is introduce students to the mechanical behaviour of composite materials and the design of structures made of composites.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | First Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Old Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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Course Aims
To introduce students to the mechanical behaviour of composites materials and the design of structures made of composites.
Main Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course students should:
A) have knowledge and understanding of:
• The basic concepts, characteristics and advantages of composite materials
• Physical and mathematical models that describe mechanical behaviour of fibre-reinforced composites
• How the properties of a unidirectional fibre-reinforced composites and a multidirectional composite laminate are derived from the properties of constituents
• How the response of fibre-reinforced composite materials to applied loading depends on the fibre orientation
• How composites fail
B) have gained intellectual skills so that they are able to:
• Analyse composite materials on different scales
• Use stress-strain relationships for unidirectional lamina and multidirectional laminate
• Determine stiffness properties of a unidirectional lamina and multidirectional laminate
• Apply appropriate failure criteria to composites
• Understand the basic principles of composite materials design
C) have gained practical skills so that they are able to:
• Solve engineering problems of some complexity which involve unidirectional composites and composite laminates
• Use library and internet resources effectively
Course Content
The course will begin with a comprehensive review of basic concepts and characteristics of modern composite materials, their manufacturing and applications. The course will then focus on the mechanical behaviour of unidirectional fibre-reinforced composite materials and multidirectional composite laminates, including stress-strain relations, determination of stiffness and strength, and failure mechanisms exhibited under various types of loading. Building on this knowledge, tools and methods for the design of composites structures such as beams, plates, sandwich panels and shells will be considered in the second half of the course.
Available only to candidates following an Engineering degree programme.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
1st Attempt: 1 three-hour examination paper (100%).
Resit: 1 three-hour examination paper (100%).
There are no assessments for this course.
Students can receive feedback on their progress with the course on request during the tutorial sessions.
There will be a scheduled feedback session on the exam paper/performance which will be announced within 4 weeks of the publication of the exam results.
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