Fibre steering of composite tows within lamina is being investigated as a m
eans of producing composite components with increased strength or stiffness
when compared to the commonly adopted unidirectional and fabric laminates
used in industry. The concept of fibre steering and application to a tensil
e plate with an open hole and a pin-loaded hole is reviewed. The design and
manufacture of fibre steering along trajectories for a cantilevered C-sect
ion beam representative of an aerospace control surface spar is then descri
bed. The results of experimental testing and finite element analysis of the
beam are presented. The results indicate that a significant reduction in d
eflection is possible over an equivalent flange-stiffened design. (C) 2001
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