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Module Manager
ACADEMIC YEAR ___________
Module Detail
Title Composite Materials
(maximum 50 characters)
Description
Introduction to polymer composites, anisotropic elasticity, composite laminated plate
theory, anisotropic coupling modes, anisotropic strength theories, experimental testing
techniques, plate and shell theory, micromechanics of composite materials, use of
numerical software for composite structural design including analytical and finite
element analysis codes, manufacturing and experimental testing of composite
laminates and coupons.
(brief description of the content of the module between 75 – 150 words)
*Note Field to indicate taught through Irish/English/Erasmus
Module version number and date approved
xx/xx/2012
*
Course Instances (s)
1SPE, 2SPE,
3SPE, 4SPE
ME Mechanical Eng.
1SPD, 2SPD, 3SPD, 4SPD
xx/xx/2012
xx/xx/2012
Date Retired
Module Owner / Lecturer
Module Administrator Details
Dr. Conchúr Ó Brádaigh
Jane Bowman
Please specify main contact person(s) for exam related queries and contact number /email
Module Code
(
Office use only)
Module Type
ECTS
Core= Student must take the module
Optional = Choice for Student
Multiple of 5 ects
Optional for
Core for ME
5 ects
Mechanical
Eng.
Course Requirement
(i.e. where a module has to be passed at 40%)
Semester Taught
Semester Examined
Year Long
Summer
Requisite(s)
Co-Req.
Modules 
If they take module X they must take
module Y
Pre-Req
Modules 
The student must have taken and
passed a module in previous year
Excl.Req.
Modules 
If they take module X they CANNOT
take module Y
Module Assessment
st
1 Sitting
Assessment Type
Exam Session
Duration
Written Paper
Semester 2
2 Hours
Continuous Assessment
Semester 2
Not Applicable
2nd Sitting
Bonded Modules
(modules which are to be
examined at the same date and
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time)
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PART B
Workload:
ECTS credits represent the student workload for the programme of study, i.e. the total time
the student spends engaged in learning activities. This includes formal teaching, homework,
self-directed study and assessment.
Modules are assigned credits that are whole number multiples of 5.
One credit is equivalent to 20-25 hours of work. An undergraduate year’s work of 60 credits is
equivalent to 1200 to 1500 hours or 40 to 50 hours of work per week for two 15 week
semesters (12 weeks of teaching, 3 weeks study and formal examinations).
Module Schedule
No. of Lectures Hours 24
No. of Tutorials Hours 6
No. of Labs Hours
20
Recommended No. of self study
hours 75
Other educational activities(Describe)
and hours allocated
Lecture Duration
Tutorial Duration
Lab Duration
Placement(s) hours
1 hr
1 hr
1 hr
*Total range of hours to be automatically totalled (min amount to be hit)
Module Learning Outcomes
(CAN BE EXPANDED)
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to:
1 State the various applications and mechanical properties of fibre reinforced
composite materials, as well as the production processes used with same
2 Develop and use anisotropic constitutive models, such as transverse isotropy, in
representing the thermo-mechanical behaviour or fibre-reinforced composites
3 Employ thin plate and beam assumptions and derive the Composite Laminated
Plate Theory (CLPT) equations for laminates
4 Perform engineering design calculation on composite laminates, and predict
stresses and strains in each ply for various loading conditions (mechanical and
thermal)
5 Use CLPT modules in software (e.g. CDS software from U. of Delaware) for
prediction of laminate stress and strain
6 Use Finite Element Analysis software to model thermomechanical loading of
composite plates and shells
7 Understand the manufacturing of composite laminates, coupon extraction and
mechanical testing.
8 Compare the predicted strength of composite laminates with the measured
strengths in the experiments. Explain the discrepancies between model and
experimental results.
Module Learning, Coursework and Assessment
Learning Outcomes at module level should be capable of being assessed. Please indicate assessment methods and the outcomes they will assess
Assessment type,
eg. End of year exam, group project
Outcomes
assessed
Draft Created by Syllabus Team as part of Academic Simplification 2012/2013
% weighting
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Written Paper
Continuous Assessment
1-4
50
5-8
50
Indicative Content (Marketing Description and content)
This module involves the design and testing of fibre-reinforced composite laminates
and structures. Mathematical modelling techniques are used in conjunction with
numerical software to design composite laminates constructed of anisotropic
materials. Significant laboratory work including laminate manufacture, coupon
extraction and coupon testing is carried out to compare to the design results.
Module Resources
Suggested Reading Lists
Library
Physical (e.g. AV’s)
B. D. Agarwal and L. J. Broutman, Analysis and
Performance of Fiber Composites, 2nd ed. WileyInterscience;
Experimental Characterization of Advanced Composite
Materials, D.F. Adams, L.A. Carlsson, R.B. Pipes, CRC
Press.
Journal
IT (e.g. software + version)
ABAQUS, CDS
Admin
FOR COLLEGE USE ONLY
Student Quota
Quota
(where applicable only)
(identify number per module where applicable only)
Module:
Number:
Discipline involved in Teaching
Share of FTE
*(drop down for disciplines within school)
Mechanical
*(% out of 1)
100
RGAM
NB:
Notes on some fields are for the technical side when considering which
software company to use.
Draft Created by Syllabus Team as part of Academic Simplification 2012/2013
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