Design and analysis of composite structures with interlaced fibres

Design and analysis of fibre-reinforced polymer beams formed by girders spa ced by skew ribs with interlaced joints were investigated. Equivalent tensi on, bending and shear stiffness were predicted. The influence of mechanical and geometrical parameters on the derived formulae was studied. The effect of the rib angle was demonstrated. An increase in the rib angle leads to a small decrease in tension and bending stiffness. The shear stiffness is hi ghly sensitive to all the geometrical parameters, including the rib angle. Experimental tests carried out in four point bending were used to assess th e performance of alternative designs. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All ri ghts reserved.