5 Mechanical Behavior of Composite Materials

Wood is an example of an Orthotropic Material.

5.1 Stiffness of Unidirectional Composites
5.2 Transformation of Stress and Strain
5.3 Off-Axis Stiffness of Unidirectional Composites
5.4 In-Plane Stiffness of Symmetric Laminates
5.5 Flexural Stiffness Sandwich Laminates
5.6 Properties of General Laminates
5.7 Strength of Composites Materials
5.8 Hygrothermal Behavior
5.9 Micromechanics

About the Cover :

By orthotropic we mean that wood has unique and independent properties in the directions of three mutually perpendicular axes-Longitudinal, Radial, and Tangential. The longitudinal axis is parallel to the grain; the radial axis is perpendicular to the grain in the direction of the growth rings; and the tangential axis is perpendicular to the grain running in tangent to the growth rings These axes, when placed under stress, react differently in relation to each other and also in relation to the nature of the kind and direction of the stress. Remember Pandora's box? Wood is just as tricky.

Most common engineering materials are Homogeneous and Isotropic.

A homogeneous body has uniform properties throughout, i.e., the properties are not a function
of position in the body.

An isotropic body has material properties that are the same in every direction at a point in the
body, i.e., the properties are not a function of orientation at a point in the body.