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2002 Lloyds Register of Shipping

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INTRODUCTION TO FRP ANALYSIS

Ben Munro

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Topics Presented

Mechanics Terminology

Overview of Analysis Process

Lamination Terminology

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Mechanics Terminology

Composite

Fibre

Resin or matrix

Lamina or ply

laminate

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Mechanics Terminology 2

Homogeneous Material
Material properties not dependent on location

Isotropic Material
At a point in the material, material properties are identical in every
direction

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Mechanics Terminology 3

Anisotropic Material
At a point in the material, material properties are different in
all directions

Orthotropic Material
A material with three mutually perpendicular planes of
material symmetry
Wood
Rolled Steel
Unidirectional FRP laminate

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MECHANICAL PROPERTIES (N/mm2)

METAL

206,000

Aluminium
5083
69,000

UTS

400

275

Yield

235

125

Strain

0.19%

0.4%

FRP

CSM Laminate

WR Laminate

6500

14,500

85

190

1.3%

1.3%

E
UTS
Strain

Mild Steel

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MATERIAL COMPARISON
Comparison of Specific Strength and Stiffness
450
Carbon/Epoxy

Specific Tensile Strength (MPa/(g/cm^3))

400
350
300
250

Douglas Fir
200
White Oak

150

5083 Aluminium

100

E Glass/Polyester
HT Steel

50

Mild Steel
0
0

10

15

20

25

Specific Tensile Modulus (GPa/(g/cm^3))

30

35

40

45

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MATERIAL COMPARISON INCLUDING COST INDEX

Comparison of Strength and Modulus including Cost Index
30

Mild Steel

25

Specific Modulus / Cost Index

HT Steel

20

15

10

Douglas Fir

White Oak

5083 Alum inium

Carbon/Epoxy

E Glass/Polyester

0
0

10

20

30
Specific Strength / Cost Index

40

50

60

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Material Comparison

Material

Modulus Strength Ratio

Mild Steel

1180

Typical Marine FRP

250

Aluminium

700

Modulus/Strength ratio

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Material Comparison

Strength Limited Design

Scantlings governed by the need to ensure adequate strength
Or
If it is strong enough it will be stiff enough

Stiffness Limited Design

Scantlings governed by the need to limit deflection
Or
If it is stiff enough it will be strong enough

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Overview of FRP Analysis

Micromechanics
Find average properties of a composite ply from the properties of the
constituents
Understand failure mechanisms of composite on a micromechanical
level

Macromechanics
Assume homogeneous ply
Combine or stack plies to form a laminate
Analyse laminate
Determine ply stresses and strains

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Overview of FRP Analysis

Local and Global Axes

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Overview of FRP Analysis

Plate theory; through thickness stresses usually

neglected

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Laminate Code (UD Laminates)

First ply is top of laminate

Each ply denoted by its angle from the global X-axis
Each ply of identical material and thickness unless stated

Eg. Carbon UD 400gm2 [0/-45/90/45]

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Laminate Code WR and CSM Laminates

Gelcoat
CSM 300 g/m 2

Gelcoat

CSM 450 g/m 2

WR 800 g/m2
CSM 450 g/m 2
WR 800 g/m2
CSM 450 g/m 2
WR 800 g/m2
CSM 450 g/m 2

450 CSM

300 CSM
800 WR
450 CSM
800 WR
450 CSM
800 WR
450 CSM

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Lamination Terminology

Symmetrical layup
Plies above midsurface are of same thickness, material and
orientation as the plies below midsurface

450 CSM

800 WR

-45

[0/-45/60/60/-45/0]

450 CSM

60

450 CSM
800 WR

60
-45

or
[0/-45/60]s

450 CSM

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Lamination Terminology

Balanced Laminate
Pairs of layers are of same thickness, material and oriented at +
and Eg:

30
40
-30
30
-30
-40

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Lamination Terminology

Hybrid Laminate
Laminate made from more than one material

Hybrid material
Reinforcing material made from more than one material typically
Carbon/aramid
Carbon/glass

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Coupling

In non symmetrical or unbalanced laminates coupling

can exist between forces and moments within the
laminate

In plane loading can result in mid-plane curvature

Heat changes (eg. During curing) can result in

warping of laminates

Selection of balanced and symmetrical laminates

wherever possible is good practice as it will
Reduce or eliminate coupling
Simplify analysis

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