Optimum fiber distributions in composite elastic beams are investigated us ing the criteria of minimum strain energy and maximum failure load. Ar bitrarily specified bounds are placed upon the specific volume fraction of fibers, and the total volume of fibers available for reinforcing the beam is assumed to be fixed. Numerical results are presented for beams constructed of ordinary and bimodulus composite materials. For the examples considered it is found that significant improvements in both stiffness and strength generally can be achieved through the use of nonuniform fiber distributions.
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