Course content

The course focuses on relevant topics for mechanical design and engineering where polymer composites are used. Topics include: mechanical, thermal and chemical properties of thermoplastics, thermosets and fibers such as glass, carbon, and aramide. Theory and application of material models including anisotropic behavior. Classical laminate theory and its application. Failure and damage mechanisms, principle methods for failure prediction, failure criteria and damage analysis. Analytical solutions for simple structures such as plates, beams and tubular structures. Basic finite element modeling and analysis of composite materials and composite structures. Common manufacturing and test methods for polymer composites. Material selection, engineering design principles and reliability of polymer composites. Computational methods and numerical solutions using simple programming are emphasized for most of the topics. The online compendium has a comprehensive collection of examples, procedures and functions written in Python.

Learning outcome

Knowledge: The candidate has basic knowledge of the properties of polymer composites, the common application of such materials and the engineering principles including material selection, fundamental relations, analysis methods and manufacturing methods.

Skills: The candidate can do basic engineering of components and products made of polymer composites. The candidate can do preliminary material selection, material evaluation, simple mechanical analysis and failure analysis using fundamental relations for the materials and structures. The candidate can suggest and evaluate relevant manufacturing methods.

General competence: The candidate is able to communicate technological topics related to polymer composites and shall be able to answer questions on feasibility related to these materials. The candidate is aware of the importance of polymer composites for the modern society.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, exercises, experiments, demonstrations and project work. Teams for the project works will be established at the beginning of the semester. The lectures and exercises are in English. As the teaching is given in English the Examination papers will be given in English only. Students are free to choose Norwegian or English for written assessments.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

TKT4116 Mechanics 1 or similar, TKT4122 Mechanics 2 or similar.

Required previous knowledge

Materials technology corresponding to TMM4100 Materials Technology.

Course materials

Online compendium

Credit reductions