Duration
26h Th, 26h Pr
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The course introduces different aspects of fibre-reinforced plastic materials :
- overall description : constituents, matrix and fiber architecture, industrial applications (aerospace, automotive, energy), links between process, microstructure, material properties and structural performance.
- mechanical properties : linear elasticity of orthotropic (and anisotropic) materials, classical laminate theory (CLT), progressive damage and failure mechanisms, edge effects, humidity and temperature effects.
- homogenization : principles, mean-field homogenization applied to linear elasticity, extension to elastoplasticity, applications to short and continuous fibre-reinforced plastics.
- numerical simulation : linear and nonlinear finite element analysis (buckling, post-buckling, collapse, nonlinear material).
- design of composite structures : design rules and manufacturing constraints, parameterizations and optimization algorithms, stacking sequence optimization.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
At the end of the course, students should have acquired the following knowledge and skills :
- an overview of the different kinds of composites and their constituents;
- linear and nonlinear mechanical characteristics of continuous fiber laminates, including damage and failure mechanisms ;
- homogenization techniques and basis multi-scale material modeling ;
- Integrated Computational Mechanical/Material Engineering (ICME): Integration of process, material and structural modeling.
- the classical laminate theory ;
- main design rules and stacking sequence optimization of composite laminates;
- a theoretical knowledge of manufacturing process and related constraints;
- the ability to analyse a composite structure with industrial finite element software.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
A background in continuum mechanics and finite element methods is required.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Theoretical concepts are explained during formal lectures and seminars. All speakers have a strong industrial background and share their practical experience with students. Exercise sessions are meant to put the classical laminate theory into practice (analysis of continuous fiber laminate properties with analytically calculated ABD matrices). Students have individual graded projects involving SAMCEF finite element software and Digimat, which are introduced during computer sessions.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)
Theoretical lectures are taught in class by the professor. Exercise sessions are led by the assistants. Mandatory practical sessions are organized in a computer room where numerical simulation tools are available.
Recommended or required readings
References :
Lecture notes (contact M. Bruyneel)
Strength and life of composites, S.W. Tsai, ed. JEC Composites Publication: homogenization, orthotropy, CLT, failure theories.
Matériaux composites, D. Gay, ed. Hermes, Paris, 2005: homogenization, orthotropy, CLT, failure theories, lots of applications.
Composite airframe structures, M.C.Y. Niu, ed. Conmilit Press LTd. Hong Kong, 1992: testing, manufacturing, applications.
Optimisation des structures mécaniques: méthodes numériques et éléments finis, M. Bruyneel, J.C. Craveur, P. Gourmelen, ed. Dunod, Paris, 2014 : composite materials
Assessment methods and criteria
Written exam, theory (closed-book): 50% of the total points
Written exam, exercises (open book): 25% of the total points
Practical work on computer reports: 25% of the total points
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
Contacts
Michaël Bruyneel (Michael.Bruyneel@ulg.ac.be)
Martin Volvert (m.volvert@ulg.ac.be)(geoffrey.deliege@ulg.ac.be)
Michaël Bruyneel (Michael.Bruyneel@ulg.ac.be)
Martin Volvert (m.volvert@ulg.ac.be)(geoffrey.deliege@ulg.ac.be)
Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session
Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning
Not applicable for May-June session
Assessment subjects
Not applicable for May-June session
Assessment methods
Not applicable for May-June session
Contacts
michael.bruyneel@ulg.ac.be
Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session
Assessment subjects
Assessment methods
Contacts
Items online
End Exercise Sessions 3&4
Dear all,
Here is the end of Exercise Sessions 3&4. Sorry for the delay.
Regards,
Martin
Exercises of Mechanics of Composites
Dear all,
Here are the exercise statements for the 4 exercise sessions.
On Monday 30/09/2019, we will do together sessions 1&2.
There will be two other dates for the last two exercise sessions. At these dates, I will also explain the two short projects you will have to do, both on NX and analytically.
Best regards,
Martin Volvert
NX installation
Dear all,
Here's a link to download and install NX 12 for the projects. You need to be connected to ULiege network or via the ULiege VPN to have access to the license.
Regards,
Martin
Project 1
Dear all,
Please find here the statement for the first project that you will have to do by groups of 2 (groups of your choice). If you are an odd number of students, there can be one group of 3.
I also give you a small presentation about composites on NX that I will present on Monday 14/10.
For those who have never used NX, I also give you the presentation for the introduction to NX given for the course "Finite Element Method".
I finally give you a good tutorial found online (which is not mandatory to check) from NX10 but still valid.
Regards,
Martin
Project 2
Dear all,
Here's the statement for the second project as well as a short NX introduction for failure criteria.
Martin
Theoretical reminders
Dear all,
Here are the theoretical reminders for the exercise sessions. You can have them for the exam.
If you find any typo errors, spelling mistakes, please let me know so that I can fix it before the exam!
The other theoretical reminders will be added shortly.
Regards,
Martin