Mini-Symposium

D. Micromechanical Modeling of Advanced Composite Materials

Advanced composites comprise structural materials that have been developed for high-technology applications, such as airframe structures, for which other materials are not sufficiently stiff. Advanced composites possess enhanced stiffness and lower density compared to fiber-glass and conventional monolithic materials. While composite strength is primarily a function of the reinforcement, the ability of the matrix to support the fibers or particles and to transfer load to the reinforcement is equally important. The use of fiber-reinforced materials in engineering applications has grown rapidly. Selection of composites rather than monolithic materials is dictated by the choice of properties. A composite must be selected by more than one criterion, although one may dominate. Composites consisting of resin matrices reinforced with discontinuous glass fibers and continuous-glass-fiber mats are widely used in truck and automobile components bearing light loads, such as interior and exterior panels, pistons for diesel engines, and clutch plates. The excellent electrical insulation, formability, and low cost of glass-fiber-reinforced plastics have led to their widespread use in electrical and electronic applications ranging from motors and generators to antennas and printed circuit boards. Composites are also used for leisure and sporting products such as the frames of rackets, fishing rods, skis, golf club shafts, archery bows and arrows, sailboats, racing cars, and bicycles. Advanced composites have made it possible to mimic the properties of human bone, leading to development of biocompatible prostheses for bone replacements and joint implants.

The objectives of this Mini-Symposium are:

• to identify the state-of-the-art in virtual testing
• to present the most recent structural models for composites, including 3D
• effects and damage propagation in static, dynamic and fatigue situations
• to identify novel approaches with high future potential in modelling the mechanical response of advanced composites
• to identify the new challenges for structural simulation posed by novel hybrid, multiscale and hierarchical composites
• to encourage discussion and to contribute to new developments in virtual testing

 

Contributions related to the following topics are appropriate for this Min-Symposium:

• Mechanics of composites
• Ceramic composites
• Infrastructural use of composites
• Polymer composites
• Metal-matrix composites
• Nondestructive evaluation & characterization of composites
• Composite manufacturing
• Fracture and fatigue of composites
• Smart materials & structures
• Numerical & mathematical modeling of composites
• Nano-composites
• Biocomposites
• Chemistry of Composites

 

Mini-Symposium coordinators:

Dr. Federico Sabina
Instituto de Investigaciones en Matemáticas Aplicadas y en Sistemas
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 20-726
Delegación de Álvaro Obregón
01000 México, DF., México

Julián Bravo-Castillero and Reinaldo Rodríguez-Ramos
Facultad de Matemática y Computación
Universidad de La Habana  San Lázaro y L,
Vedado, Habana 4, CP-10400, Cuba