This is a public website designed for the stress and failure analysis for laminate composites. The symbols and notations are based on the classical lamination theory as presented in the book "Engineering Mechanics of Composite Materials", 1994, Oxford University Press, Inc., by Prof. Isaac M. Daniel and Ori Ishai. This website provides tools for computation of laminate stiffnesses ([A], [B] and [D]), compliances ([a], [b], [c] and [d]), laminate deformation, lamina stresses/strains, failure sequences, failure envelopes, off-axis loading graphs, and many other features.
All tools in this website are organized into categories listed below. Click on the one you are interested -- a valid username and password are needed. A guest account (username: guest, password: guest) is available for the impatient. See account application for details.
To maintain a customizable material database for every user in the server, an account with a valid username and password is required. This is for identification only and the account is completely free for educational and academic use -- as long as the author is informed of your good intention for its proper use.
To setup an account, please contact Prof. Isaac M. Daniel of Northwestern University. If you don't have the patience to wait for the author's response, or simply don't need a full account, use the guest account (username: guest, password: guest,) which is limited to only a few non-modifiable materials. Special accounts tailored for educators are also available. Potential industrial and commercial users should read the legal disclaimer, and prior consultation with the author is necessary.
You need, obviously, web access and a web browser. The website has been tested and known to work with both Internet Explorer(5.0 or above in Windows and Mac) and Netscape(4.7x in windows, Mac and Linux, 6.2 in windows and Mac.) For unix Netscape 4.x users, Javascript, style sheets and document-specified fonts should be enabled. Greek symbol display problem can be fixed by the solution found in Enabling Symbol Fonts in Netscape under X by Ian Hutchinson.
The website and its computer codes were developed by the author, Jyi-Jiin Luo, after several discussions about composite failure theories with Prof. Daniel and Ishai in summer, 2001. At the beginning, the idea was to have a web-based tool to present the failure and damage prediction from various failure criteria to facilitate our discussion. Later more features were added and it has, in its current form, become a very usable tool for students, educators, researchers as well as engineers. In spring 2002, it was used for student projects in Dr. Daniel's composite class in Northwestern university. The author was glad to have received rather favorable opinions from users for its simplicity and convenience. In summer, 2002, the testing stage was considered over and the website was officially open to public. A brief development log is provided for the record.
Author: Jyi-Jiin Luo
Proper interpretation of any result from the tools provided by this website is critical to the success of any particular composite application. Direct application or inappropriate use of information without considering the circumstances of any particular individual or engineering structure can be detrimental. The author and his employer are not responsible for any personal injury, structural damage or financial loss incurred by application of any information from this website. Commercial use of this website, any of its tools or information is prohibited without prior consultation with the author.