Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani

Work-Integrated Learning Programmes Division

First Semester 2019-2020

Comprehensive Examination
(EC-3 Make-up)

Course No. : DE ZG526

Course Title : ADVANCED COMPOSITES
Nature of Exam : Open Book
Weightage : 40% No. of Pages =2
Duration : 3 Hours No. of Questions = 10
Date of Exam : Sunday, 01/12/2019 (AN)
Note:
1. Please follow all the Instructions to Candidates given on the cover page of the answer book.
2. All parts of a question should be answered consecutively. Each answer should start from a fresh page.
3. Assumptions made if any, should be stated clearly at the beginning of your answer.

Q.1. For a continuous and oriented fiber-reinforced composite, the moduli of elasticity in the
longitudinal and transverse directions are 19.7 and 3.66 GPa respectively. If the volume
fraction of fibers is 0.25, determine the moduli of elasticity of fiber and matrix phases. [2]

Q.2. Why is the surface perfection of glass fibers so important? State two measures that are taken
to protect the surface of glass fibers? [3]

Q.3. List at least four different sports implements that are made of, or contain composites. [2]

Q.4. A rod consists of a binder and two types of filamentous reinforcement with the following
constituent properties: [6]

Material Density Wt% E (GPa) σu(GPa)

(g/cm3)
Binder 1.3 35 3.5 0.06
Fiber A 2.5 45 70 1.4
Fiber B 1.6 20 6 0.45
Assume that the cross-sectional area of the rod =10 cm2
(a) What maximum load can this rod carry without rupturing any of the constituents?
(b) What is the maximum load the rod can carry?

Q.5. Why fiber reinforcements are of a thin diameter? Cite two reasons. [2]

Q.6. The variables Ex and νxy are the elastic modulus and Poisson ratio of a [ ± 45]S laminate
obtained in an off axis coupon tension test. Show that the shear modulus GLT of the
constituent laminae is given by: [3]

Ex
GLT =
2(I + v xy )

Q.7. Explain why a high-modulus unidirectional graphite-fiber-reinforced epoxy beam fractured

in impact breaks cleanly into two halves without delamination and with little fiber pullout,
whereas an equivalent glass-fiber composite exhibits considerable delamination on failure. [3]

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Q.8. Find the three stiffness matrices [A], [B], and [D] for a three-ply [0/30/–45] graphite/epoxy
laminate as shown in Figure below. [8]

Assume that each lamina has a thickness of 5mm. The elastic property for glass-epoxy is as
given: EL=181 GPa, ET=10.30 GPa, νLT=0.28, GLT=7.17GPa

Q.9. A glass-epoxy laminate is constructed with a stacking sequence (0/90)4S. Using the Whitney-
Nuismer-failure criteria (point stress and average stress criteria) for notched composites,
calculate the fracture-toughness-unnotched-strength ratio, KQ/σ0 for a half-crack length of
5mm. Assume that the characteristic distances are d0 = 1 mm and a0 = 4 mm for the point-
stress and average-stress criteria, respectively. [5]

Q.10. A balanced cross-ply laminate possessing midplane symmetry is made up of laminae having
the following Properties:
EL= 15 GPa, GLT = 3 GPa, ET= 6 GPa, νLT = 0.5
The laminate is subjected to a normal axial stress of 15 MPa and a shear stress of 1.0 MPa.
Calculate the normal and shear stresses in the 0° and 90° plies. [6]

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