SUMMARY REMARKS ON MICROMECHANICS

The micromechanics approaches presented in this book are an attempt to predict the mechanical properties of a composite material based on the mechanical properties of its constituent materials. In nearly all fiber-reinforced composite materials, there is considerable difference between expectation and reality. Thus, we must ask what is the usefulness of micromechanical analysis beyond gaining a feeling for why composite materials behave as they do Basically, there are two answers one related to designing a material and one related to designing a structure. 

it seems inevitable that micromechanics predictions of properties will always be imprecise. 

The reader should be exposed to both micromechanics and macromechanics in order to function effectively in either material design or structurai design. The main thrust of this book is in iine with structurai design and analysis requirements. Thus, the point of our addressing micromechanics is to better understand how and why composite materials function. 

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