Creep and Fatigue in Polymer Matrix Composites

-Reviews the latest research in modelling and predicting creep and fatigue in polymer matrix composites

-A specific focus on viscoelestic and viscoplastic modelling features the time-temperature-age superposition principle for predicting long-term response

-Creep rupture and damage interaction is examined with particular focus on time-dependent failure criteria for lifetime prediction of polymer matrix composite structures illustrated using experimental cases

-A specific chapter on structural health monitoring of composite structures for durability incorporates relevant case studies and explores fibre reinforced polymer structures in the bridge industry

Creep is the tendency of materials to deform when subjected to long-term stress, particularly when exposed to heat. Fatigue phenomena occur when a material is subjected to cyclic loading, causing damage which may progress to failure. Both are critical factors in the long-term performance and reliability of materials such as polymer matrix composites which are often exposed to these types of stress in civil engineering and other applications. This important book reviews the latest research in modelling and predicting creep and fatigue in polymer matrix composites.

The first part of the book reviews the modelling of viscoelastic and viscoplastic behaviour as a way of predicting performance and service life. Part two discusses techniques for modelling creep rupture and failure. The final part of the book discusses ways of testing and predicting long-term creep and fatigue in polymer matrix composites.

With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Creep and fatigue in polymer matrix composites is a standard reference for all those researching and using polymer matrix composites in such areas as civil engineering.

PART 1 VISCOELASTIC AND VISCOPLASTIC MODELLING

Viscoelastic constitutive modeling of creep and stress relaxation in polymers and polymer matrix composites

Time-temperature-age superposition principle for predicting long-term response of linear viscoelastic materials

Time-dependent behaviour of active/intelligent polymer matrix composites incorporating piezoceramic fibers

Predicting the elastic-viscoplastic and creep behaviour of polymer matrix composites using the homogenization theory

Measuring fiber strain and creep behaviour in polymer matrix composites using Raman spectroscopy

Predicting the viscoelastic behaviour of polymer nanocomposites

Constitutive modelling of viscoplastic deformation of polymer matrix composites

Creep analysis of polymer matrix composites using viscoplastic models

Micromechanical modeling of viscoelastic behaviour of polymer matrix composites

PART 2 CREEP RUPTURE

Fiber bundle models for creep rupture analysis of polymer matrix composites

Micromechanical modelling of time-dependent failure in off-axis polymer matrix composites

Time-dependent failure criteria for lifetime prediction of polymer matrix composite structures

PART 3 FATIGUE MODELLING, CHARACTERISATION AND MONITORING

Testing the fatigue strength of fibers used in fiber-reinforced composites using fiber bundle tests

Continuum damage mechanical modelling of creep damage and fatigue in polymer matrix composites

Accelerated testing methodology for predicting long-term creep and fatigue in polymer matrix composites

Fatigue testing methods for polymer matrix composites

Fatigue testing methods for polymer matrix composites

Characterization of vicoelasticity, viscoplasticity and damage in composites

Structural health monitoring of composite structures for durability