This edition has been expanded to include two new chapters dealing with microme- chanics. Materials in wide use today, such as textile-reinforced composites, are discussed in more detail. The database in the original Chapter 2 has been expanded to include more fabric composites, high-temperature composites, and three-dimensional properties, and it has been moved to an appendix for easier reference. A description has been added of processing methods since the quality and behavior of composite materials is intimately related to the fabrication process.

Chapter 3, a new chapter, gives a review of the micromechanics of elastic behavior, leading to the macromechanical elastic response of a composite lamina discussed in Chapter 4. Recognizing the current interest in three-dimensional effects, we included transformation relations for the three-dimensional case as well.

Chapter 5 describes the micromechanics of failure, including failure mechanisms and prediction of strength. Chapter 6 is a treatment and discussion of failure of a composite lamina from the macromechanical or phenomenological point of view. An updated review and description of macromechanical failure theories is given for the single lamina. Basic theories discussed in detail include maximum stress, maximum strain, phenomenological (interaction) theories (Tsai-Hill and Tsai-Wu), and mechanistic theories based on specific single or mixed failure modes (Hashin-Rotem). Their extension to three dimensions and their application to textile composites are described. Comparisons with experimental data have been added for the unidirectional lamina and the basic fabric lamina.

Chapter 7, which deals primarily with the classical lamination theory, has been expanded to include effects of transverse shear and application to sandwich plates. Except for some updating of data, few changes were made in Chapter 8, which describes hygrothermal effects. Chapter 9, which deals with stress and failure analysis of laminates has been revised extensively in view of the ongoing debate in technical circles on the applicability of the various failure theories. The discussion emphasizes progressive failure following first ply failure and evaluates the various theories based on their capability to predict ultimate laminate failure. Applications to textile composites are described, and comparisons between theoretical predictions and experimental results are discussed.

Chapter 10 has been revised primarily by adding test methods for fabric composites and for determination of three-dimensional properties. The book retains the same overall structure as the first edition. New problems have been added in the Problem sections.