Fibre steering for a composite C-beam

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 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.