A sensitivity study of the optimal design of composite laminates can aid in the understanding and improvement of the utilization of materials. One of the main ap proaches is to consider the fiber volume fraction of materials from the micromechanics point of view. This article adopts primarily the design point of view. Several examples with two material systems and two groups of laminates (unnotched and notched) are m- vestigated to show the property changes of the laminates due to variation of the fiber volume fraction, and the subsequent rankings of the laminates are given.
Tan, S.C. , "An Iterative Method of Optimal Design with Composite Laminates Containing an Elliptical Opening," Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, Volume 4, No 3, pp 297-313 (July 1985)
2.
Tan, S.C. , "Design of Laminated Composites with Stress Concentrations by the Ranking Method," Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composite, Volume5, No 2, pp - (1986).
3.
Tan, S.C. , "Matrix Cracking in Composites and its Effects on Damaged Ply Constitutive Behavior," Ph D Dissertation, University of Utah (December 1983)
4.
Christensen, R.M. , Mechanics of Composite Materials, John Wiley & Sons, New York
