Book Review: Principles of Composite Materials Mechanics
This is another book in the line of introductory texts, though the last three chapters are intended for a second semester graduate course. The first seven chapters deal with the standard micromechanics, ply analysis, and laminate analysis. One unusual selection is the chapter on discontinuous composites.
As an introductory text on analysis, I find myself comparing this to my personal favorite on this subject: Engineering Mechanics of Composite Materials, by Daniel and Ishai (see Essential Reference Books). Both cover essentially the same subjects, though the latter doesn't include dynamics or fracture mechanics.
Principles reads a lot like lecture notes. Ample text explains the reasoning behind the mathematical derivations. Each chapter begins with a brief review of the theories and the relevant literature, and ends with an extensive bibliography. Worked examples show how to apply the concepts.
In fact, the examples are one of the things I like best about this book. Each problem requires some thought, not just blind use of formulas. For example, the first sample problem asks you to find the internal pressure of a filamant wound cylinder given the geometry, wind angle, material properties, and a strain gage reading.
Engineering Mechanics, in contrast, is more oriented towards calculation. The text is more sparse, but the formulas are more carefully derived, making the math easier to follow. Computational methods for the calculations are given at the end of each chapter. Both books give a large number of "homework" problems, but the worked problems in Engineering Mechanics are simpler than in Principles. Finally, E. M. makes extensive use of photomicrographs and pictures of composite specimens, something which Principles could use more of.
In short, both books make good introductory texts. Principles is probably better as a stand-alone text, whereas Engineering Mechanics is easier to follow as a reference.
The advanced chapters of Principles are really meant to be introductions to the subjects they cover, to be supplemented by additional material. As such, they are primarily literature reviews. However, ample equations are given (though without extensive derivations), so it is possible to perform some calculations with the material in the book.
Although the final chapter on test methods is intended for graduates, the material could easily be covered in an undergraduate course. There is very little math, and the concepts are important for engineers to learn. Composite test methods are different than metallic test methods, and there are often multiple test methods for a single property. Even a brief review of this material in an undergraduate course would be very useful. I also recommend the Engineering Mechanics chapter on testing as a good introduction to the subject.
Details: Principles of Composite Materials Mechanics, by
Ronald F. Gibson, published by
McGraw-Hill, 1994, ISBN 0-07-023451-5.
1. Introduction; 2. Lamina Stress-Strain Relationships; 3. Effective
Moduli of a Continuous Fiber-Reinforced Lamina; 4. Strength of a
Continuous Fiber-Reinforced Lamina; 5. Analysis of Lamina Hygrothermal
Behavior; 6. Analysis of a Discontinuous Fiber-Reinforced Lamina;
7. Analysis of Laminates; 8. Analysis of Viscoelastic and Dynamic
Behavior; 9. Analysis of Fracture; 10. Mechanical Testing of
Composites and Their Constituents