This third edition of a bestseller offers a current perspective on the mechanics, characteristics, test methods, applications, manufacturing processes, and design aspects of composites. Highlighting materials such as nanocomposites and smart materials, the book contains new information on material substitution, cost analysis, nano- and natural fibers, fiber architecture, carbon-carbon composites, thermoplastics matrix composites, resin transfer molding, and test methods such as fiber bundle tests and interlaminar fracture measurements. It presents a new chapter on polymer-based nanocomposites. New examples and additional problems emphasize problem-solving skills used in real-world applications.

Composites are widely used in marine applications. There is considerable experience of glass reinforced resins in boats and ships but these are usually not highly loaded. However, for new areas such as offshore and ocean energy there is a need for highly loaded structures to survive harsh conditions for 20 years or more. High performance composites are therefore being proposed. This book provides an overview of the state of the art in predicting the long term durability of composite marine structures. The following points are covered: • Modelling water diffusion • Damage induced by water • Accelerated testing • Including durability in design • In-service experience. This is essential reading for all those involved with composites in the marine industry, from initial design and calculation through to manufacture and service exploitation. It also provides information unavailable elsewhere on the mechanisms involved in degradation and how to take account of them. Ensuring long term durability is not only necessary for safety reasons, but will also determine the economic viability of future marine structures.

The conventional approach to through-life-support for aircraft structures can be divided into the following phases: (i) detection of defects, (ii) diagnosis of their nature and significance, (iii) forecasting future behaviour-prognosis, and (iv) pre scription and implementation of remedial measures including repairs. Considerable scientific effort has been devoted to developing the science and technology base for the first three phases. Of particular note is the development of fracture mechanics as a major analytical tool for metals, for predicting residual strength in the presence of cracks ( damage tolerance) and rate of crack propagation under service loading. Intensive effort is currently being devoted to developing similar approaches for fibre composite structures, particularly to assess damage tolerance and durability in the presence of delamination damage. Until recently there has been no major attempt to develop a science and tech nology base for the last phase, particularly with respect to the development of repairs. Approaches are required which will allow assessment of the type and magnitude of defects amenable to repair and the influence of the repair on the stress intensity factor (or some related parameter). Approaches are also required for the development and design of optimum repairs and for assessment of their durability.

Principles of Composite Material Mechanics covers a unique blend of classical and contemporary mechanics of composites technologies. It presents analytical approaches ranging from the elementary mechanics of materials to more advanced elasticity and finite element numerical methods, discusses novel materials such as nanocomposites and hybrid multis