EUROCOMP Handbook

The attached EUROCOMP Handbook is intended to provide additional information to supplement the EUROCOMP Design Code. 

Additional information is contained in the EUROCOMP Handbook which accompanies the EUROCOMP Design Code. 

Special terms used in the EUROCOMP Design Code and the EUROCOMP Handbook... 

The user should consult with materials suppliers and fabricators on the selection and suitability of particular core systems. Indicative information on core properties may be found in the EUROCOMP Handbook. 

In the EUROCOMP Design Code plates are classified as Type I, Type II or Type III. (Detailed descriptions are included in the EUROCOMP Handbook). Analysis and design of plates may be carried out using the Tables given in the EUROCOMP Handbook or alternatively by advanced numerical techniques (see also 4.10.6). 

The plate equations (4.46) to (4.48) can be used in conjunction with the values of the coefficients given in Tables 4.1 to 4.38 of the EUROCOMP Handbook to determine the maximum deflection and bending moments of the plate. 

Table 4.4 Tables in EUROCOMP Handbook giving deflection and moment coefficients for plates.

Deflection and moment coefficients for different loading and edge conditions are given in Tables 4.3 to 4.26 in the EUROCOMP Handbook. The requisite tables, for a given loading and material description, are identified using Table 4.4. 

The following steps may be used to determine the elastic properties of a laminate. A more detailed description is given in the Eurocomp Handbook. 

P(l) The Hart-Smith failure envelope for a single ply shall be constructed as shown in Figures 4.13 (a)-(d) in the EUROCOMP Handbook. 

P(3) In the absence of strength test or manufacturers data for a laminate, the failure envelope shall be assembled using the failure envelopes of the constitutive laminae as illustrated in Figure 4.14 in the EUROCOMP Handbook. 

Computing needs are described in the EUROCOMP Handbook. Some identified analysis and design capabilities are useful but not necessary in the design of conventional composite structures. 

General requirements for an effective and user-friendly analysis/design program are given in the EUROCOMP Handbook. 

Specific programs developed for the analysis and design of composite laminates and laminated structural elements are identified in the EUROCOMP Handbook. 

Note These lines are derived from experimental data given in References 4.58 and 4.59 in the EUROCOMP Handbook. The normalised curves cover a stress range to 50% of ultimate and for times up to 10000 hours. Projections beyond 10000 hours assume no change in the mechanisms governing creep behaviour. 

Note These curves are based on data from References 4.51, 4.60 and 4.61 in the EUROCOMP Handbook. 

One such method (FE-Code BOLTIC) is described in the EUROCOMP Handbook (5.2.2.4). 

Within the EUROCOMP Programme, data for three different glass FRP laminate configurations were generated from two different material systems. The data are listed in the EUROCOMP Handbook. 

Figure 5.25 Loading modes or types of stresses (see reference 5.21, EUROCOMP Handbook).

Figure 5.27 A typical adhesive shear stress distribution in a lap joint according to elastic-plastic model (see reference 5.24, EUROCOMP Handbook).

Figure 5.29 Reducing peak shear stresses by using adhesive fillets and adhered tapering on steel/carbon adherends (see reference 5.17, EUROCOMP Handbook).

Finite element (FE) analysis using a global three-dimensional model (as defined in the EUROCOMP Handbook, 5.3.2.2) may be employed to assess the following ... 

It may be possible to study the critical details identified in the global analysis further by using a more accurate two-dimensional or axisymmetric model of the area of interest. The model should follow the guidelines given in the EUROCOMP Handbook. 

The most common thermoset adhesives are epoxies, phenoUcs and thermoset polyurethanes. The most widely used thermoplastic adhesives are acrylics (including anaerobics, hot melts, cyanoacrylates) and thermoplastic polyurethanes. A brief description of some adhesives is given in the EUROCOMP Handbook, 5.3.4. 

Material properties of the adhesives should be obtained from the adhesive manufacturers or by testing. For appropriate test methods, see EUROCOMP Handbook 7.3.3. Where no other data are available the values given in Table 5.4 may be used. 

Preliminary adhesive selection should be performed using any unbiased method which includes aU the factors required for a reliable selection procedure. Guidelines of applicable selection procedures are given in the EUROCOMP Handbook. 

Results from EUROCOMP test programme at Helsinki University of Technology ) Napkin ring torsion tests Thick adherend test Sections in EUROCOMP Handbook... 

The aim of this EUROCOMP Handbook is to amplify the information contained in the EUROCOMP Design Code, so that users of the code can understand the decisions that have been taken during the drafting process. In particular it is intended to cover areas in which there is insufficient experience of the use of polymeric composite materials, or insufficient experimental data, to formulate precise design clauses. Here only guidance can be given. 

The EUROCOMP Handbook is not intended to be a text book and hence topics are only covered in sufficient depth for the designer to understand the materials, their properties and their behaviour in a structure. It is assumed that the user of the EUROCOMP Design Code is familiar with the process of design using conventional construction materials such as concrete and steel. Thus the EUROCOMP Background Document attempts to highlight those areas in which the properties of polymeric composites differ from those of conventional materials. 

A number of special terms are listed in 1.4.2 of the EUROCOMP Design Code. Further terms used in the EUROCOMP Handbook are defined in the relevant sections. 

The EUROCOMP Design Code is mainly concerned with glass fibre reinforced thermosetting polymer composites. Properties of the basic materials are given in Chapter 3 and of typical composites in Chapter 4. This section of the EUROCOMP Handbook will therefore deal primarily with those composites. However, it is desirable that the composite be compared with some of the alternative options that are available. 

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