Finding Equivalent Isotropic Properties for Composite Material

[davidmandis]

Hi,
I am trying to model a Carbon/Epoxy structure in a finite element software but the software does not have the capability to analyze composite materials at this point. So, I wanted to find the equivalent Young's modulus and Poissons ratio so that it can be treated as an isotropic material. Can anyone please help me out with this?

Thanks,
David

 

[PanelGuy]

Go to marinecomposites.com click on Eric Greene's book. There is a great design section that covers all of this in a very easy manner. There are many books for this. You will probably find stuff all over.

Good Luck

 

[Joshmo]

David,

download this Laminator program which uses laminate theory to make smeared properties from lamina properties:

http://www.thelaminator.net/

Josh.

 

[davidmandis]

Thank you guys! That helped.

Thanks again,
David

 

[rstupplebeen]

David,

This type of assumption is made often but make sure that you understand the errors associated with this simplified material model. You could easily have an order of magnitude error in stiffnesses, stresses... As with all analysis be sure to perform some real world testing. Good luck.

Rob