Title: Development of design analysis methods for new materials

Authors: F.J. Lockett

Addresses: Division of Materials Applications, National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, Middlesex, UK

Abstract: Polymers and composites have some mechanical characteristics which are significantly different from those of familiar metallic materials. Consequently, design analysts may have less confidence in these newer materials and in their own ability to design with them. Thus, material selection may be confined to familiar materials, or components may be overdesigned, or failures may occur in service due to faulty design. Furthermore, available statistics on the various materials classes are often presented to favour a particular bias, and this complicates the assessment of relative merits and adds to the confusion. Essentially, the design analyst requires relevant and credible design data, together with valid calculation methods for predicting and optimising component performance. These methods may involve design formulae or design charts, and the growing use of computer-aided design provides an opportunity for polymers and composites to be handled on an equal basis with other materials. This paper examines these factors in the motor vehicle context, identifies present and future needs, surveys the current state of the art, and indicates some relevant recent and ongoing research work.

Keywords: anisotropic materials; data availability; creep; stress relaxation; design analysis methods; finite element analysis; FEA; loading; materials characteristics; metals; service factors; motor vehicles; computer-aided design; CAD; vehicle design; automotive materials.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1985.061336

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1985 Vol.6 No.2, pp.149 - 169

Published online: 25 May 2014 *

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