Mastering Composite Mechanics: Theory to Practice

Mechanics of Composites; Fiber Reinforced Plastics Composites; Ply Mechanics; Laminate Stiffness & Strength Analysis

What you'll learn
Understand the fundamental principles of composite laminate theory, including stiffness and strength calculations, and apply them to practical design scenarios.
Learn to analyze the mechanical behavior of composite materials and predict laminate performance using failure criteria and strength analysis.
Apply strength and failure criteria to predict the behavior of composite laminates under various loading conditions and environmental influences.
Gain hands-on experience in using Excel-based tools to implement composite laminate theory and perform optimization tasks.
Apply composite material theory to real-world engineering problems, designing structures such as aircraft wings and automotive components.
Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills in selecting and evaluating composite materials for specific structural applications.

Requirements
No prior knowledge of composite materials is required; however, a basic understanding of mechanics of materials and familiarity with Microsoft Excel are recommended to fully benefit from this course.

Description
Fiber-reinforced composite materials have revolutionized modern engineering by offering exceptional strength-to-weight ratios, tailorability, and durability. From aerospace and automotive to renewable energy and sports equipment, these advanced materials are at the forefront of innovation. But to truly harness their potential, engineers must master the fundamental mechanics governing their behavior—both at the ply level and as part of a laminate structure.This course “Mastering Composite Mechanics: Theory to Practice" takes you on a structured journey through composite mechanics. You will begin by exploring the unique properties of fiber-reinforced plastics (FRPs), gaining insights into anisotropic material behavior, ply-level stress-strain relationships, and classical lamination theory (CLT). As you progress, you will learn how to compute laminate stiffness and strength using essential engineering principles, including the calculation of the ABD matrix and the application of failure criteria.What sets this course apart is its practical, hands-on approach. Instead of relying on complex finite element software, you will leverage MS Excel—a widely available office tool—to develop user-friendly analysis sheets for preliminary composite design and evaluation. You will build interactive spreadsheets to compute laminate stiffness, analyze failure modes, and optimize layup configurations under real-world loading conditions. Through structured exercises, you will gain practical skills to efficiently perform preliminary design and analysis of composite structures, making this course highly applicable to engineers working in industry or research.By the end of this course, you will not only have a deep understanding of the mechanics of fiber-reinforced composites but also practical Excel-based tools to apply these concepts effectively in engineering design. Whether you are an engineer, researcher, or student, this course will empower you with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills to confidently analyze and design composite structures.

Who this course is for
This course is designed for engineering students (Mechanical, Civil, Aerospace) and professionals in material science, structural design, or product development. Learners will gain practical skills in designing, analyzing, and optimizing composite laminates for various engineering applications, including aerospace and automotive structures. A basic understanding of mechanics and material science is helpful but not required.