Assignment#4

CE G533: Advance Composite Materials for Structures

(Due Date: 29/9/2015 )
Max. Marks 100
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Q. 1A glass/epoxy specimen weighing 0.98 gm was burnt and the weight of the remaining
fibers was found to be 0.49 gm. Densities of glass fiber and epoxy are 2.4 gm/ml and 1.20
gm/ml, respectively. Determine the density of composites in the absence of voids. If the
actual density of the composite was measured to be 1.50 gm/ml, what is the void fraction?
[10]
Q. 2Assume that the fibers in a composite lamina are arranged in a hexagonal array as shown
in the Figure 1. Determine the maximum fiber volume fraction that can be picked in this
arrangement.
[10]

Figure 1 Fibers are arranged in hexagonal array.

Q. 3Find the longitudinal, transverse and shear modulus of a unidirectional glass/epoxy
lamina with a 70% fiber volume fraction. Compare the transverse and shear modulus
obtained by Halpin-Tsai equations. Use the properties of glass fiber and epoxy given in
Table 1. Also, find the ratio of the load taken by the fibers to that of the composite.
[15]
Q. 4Find the major and minor Poissons ratios of a glass/epoxy lamina of Question no. 3. Use
the properties of glass fiber and epoxy given in Table 1.
[5]

Q. 5The longitudinal modulus of a glass reinforced plastic lamina is to be doubled by

substituting some of the glass fibers with carbon fibers. The total fiber volume remains
unchanged at 0.5. Calculate the fraction of carbon fibers.
Given Ec = 300 GPa, Eg = 70GPa & Em= 5 GPa
[10]
Q. 6Find the ultimate tensile strength for a glass/epoxy lamina of Question no. 3with a 70%
fiber volume fraction. Use the properties of glass fiber and epoxy given in Table 1. Also
find the minimum and critical fiber volume fractions.
[15]
Q. 7Find the longitudinal compressive strength of a glass/epoxy lamina of Question no. 3
with a 70% fiber volume fraction. Assume the failure is due to fracture of matrix and/or
fiber-matrix bond due to tensile strains in the matrix and/or bond. Use the properties of
glass fiber and epoxy given in Table 1.
[15]
Q. 8A carbon/epoxy cross-ply laminate (0/90)s consists of unidirectional plies and is subjected
to a tensile force Nx = 200 N/mm. The ply is 0.1 thick and elastic moduli in kN/m2 are
E1 = 140, E2 = 10, E6 = 5, v12 = 0.3
The ply strengths for the material in N/mm2 are
F1T = 1500, F1C = 1200, F2T = 50, F2C = 250, F6 = 70
Check whether failure will occur according to maximum stress theory.
Table 1 Properties of fiber and matrix.
Property
Elastic modulus
Shear modulus
Poissons ratio
Tensile strength
Shear strength
Ultimate tensile strain

Units
GPa
GPa
MPa
MPa
-

Glass
85
35.42
0.20
1550
35
0.018

Epoxy
3.40
1.31
0.30
72
34
0.0217

[20]