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GRP in structural engineering
88
Book reviews
In addition to examinations of component parts of structures several examples of actual composite structures are presented. Large GRP butterfly valves are shown to provide satisfactory service experience with long-term economic gains. Laminated tubular structures are shown to be capable of withstanding space environment applications. The lone contribution on transportation engineering was on the application of sandwich structures to light turrets. The application to transportation must be a field for further development in the future, although, of course, application to aircraft structures is by no means novel. Perhaps commercial confidentiality has been a restricting influence on the dissemination of information in this field. The book is well presented and produced. A comprehensive index is a valuable inclusion. Researchers in the field of composite structures will find this a necessary tool to have on their shelf. The fact that the book was available at the beginning of the conference is a credit to both the organizers and the publisher. W. M. Bmflts
G R P in Structural Engineering. By the late M. Holmes and D. J. Just. 1983. Elsevier Applied Science Publishers, London. 1983. xi + 298 pp. ISBN 0 85334 232 6. Price: £34.00. The increasing use of GRP in composite engineering structures has led to the need for a detailed examination of their properties and behaviour. It is necessary not only to understand the fundamental properties of the fibres and the matrix, but also to understand the effect of their interaction on both a micromechanical and a macromechanical level. In addition, to give confidence in their use it is necessary to have sound experimental confirmation of theoretical predictions. This book attempts to address some of these problems and to give concrete examples of effective structural forms. It is presented in three parts which can be read and studied independently or as integrated units. The opening section deals with the fundamental nature and production of GRP. The authors are concentrating in this context on glass-reinforced polyesters because they are most widely used in a structural engineering context. The methods of obtaining both the matrix and the fibre, as well as the methods of manufacturing the composite components, are presented. The central section of the book deals with the structural properties and
Book reviews
89
behaviour of GRP. Both the micromechanical and macromechanical aspects are presented, together with an examination of the complexity and structural possibilities with laminated forms. To give confidence in the use of the material a chapter is devoted to a comparison of theoretical and measured properties. The effect of time and temperature on the mechanical properties is also examined. Perhaps the most useful section of the book is the last one, dealing with design in GRP. This begins with a comprehensive list of properties which are relevant to its structural exploitation, including its anisotropy and the important subject of the behaviour of joints and connections. The authors then focus attention on two important examples of GRP structures to give an indication of the effectiveness of the material in selected areas. It appears that these are the fruit of research programmes pursued at the authors' Institution. The first is that of GRP box-beams. A comprehensive series of tests is described taking into account both shortterm and long-term loading. The second example is that of a stressed skin roof structure. In this case, as in the former, it is shown that additional stiffness can be derived from the shape of the structure, as well as in the prudent design of the material to utilize the anisotropic nature of the composite. Throughout, there is evidence of an awareness of the current research being pursued in this field. The book is well produced and the diagrams are well presented. The comprehensive index is an invaluable inclusion. It is, perhaps, a pity that other important structural forms such as pipes, tanks and vessels were not addressed. However, this might have taken the book beyond its stated intention of appealing to final-year undergraduates. The book is a worthy addition to the literature in this field. W. M. B ~ k s
Developments in Thin-waned Structures 2. Edited by J. Rhodes. 1984. Elsevier Applied Science Publishers Ltd, London. x + 240 pp. ISBN 0 85334 247 4. Price: £30.00. This is the second volume in this series of books under the general title 'Developments in Thin-walled Structures'. In this the editors have brought together a number of well-known engineers, all authorities in their own field, and allowed them to 'paint on a very wide canvas'. One is impressed by the scope of the topics covered, the analysis described and the range of industries represented. Such an interaction of concepts,
Book reviews
In addition to examinations of component parts of structures several examples of actual composite structures are presented. Large GRP butterfly valves are shown to provide satisfactory service experience with long-term economic gains. Laminated tubular structures are shown to be capable of withstanding space environment applications. The lone contribution on transportation engineering was on the application of sandwich structures to light turrets. The application to transportation must be a field for further development in the future, although, of course, application to aircraft structures is by no means novel. Perhaps commercial confidentiality has been a restricting influence on the dissemination of information in this field. The book is well presented and produced. A comprehensive index is a valuable inclusion. Researchers in the field of composite structures will find this a necessary tool to have on their shelf. The fact that the book was available at the beginning of the conference is a credit to both the organizers and the publisher. W. M. Bmflts
G R P in Structural Engineering. By the late M. Holmes and D. J. Just. 1983. Elsevier Applied Science Publishers, London. 1983. xi + 298 pp. ISBN 0 85334 232 6. Price: £34.00. The increasing use of GRP in composite engineering structures has led to the need for a detailed examination of their properties and behaviour. It is necessary not only to understand the fundamental properties of the fibres and the matrix, but also to understand the effect of their interaction on both a micromechanical and a macromechanical level. In addition, to give confidence in their use it is necessary to have sound experimental confirmation of theoretical predictions. This book attempts to address some of these problems and to give concrete examples of effective structural forms. It is presented in three parts which can be read and studied independently or as integrated units. The opening section deals with the fundamental nature and production of GRP. The authors are concentrating in this context on glass-reinforced polyesters because they are most widely used in a structural engineering context. The methods of obtaining both the matrix and the fibre, as well as the methods of manufacturing the composite components, are presented. The central section of the book deals with the structural properties and
Book reviews
89
behaviour of GRP. Both the micromechanical and macromechanical aspects are presented, together with an examination of the complexity and structural possibilities with laminated forms. To give confidence in the use of the material a chapter is devoted to a comparison of theoretical and measured properties. The effect of time and temperature on the mechanical properties is also examined. Perhaps the most useful section of the book is the last one, dealing with design in GRP. This begins with a comprehensive list of properties which are relevant to its structural exploitation, including its anisotropy and the important subject of the behaviour of joints and connections. The authors then focus attention on two important examples of GRP structures to give an indication of the effectiveness of the material in selected areas. It appears that these are the fruit of research programmes pursued at the authors' Institution. The first is that of GRP box-beams. A comprehensive series of tests is described taking into account both shortterm and long-term loading. The second example is that of a stressed skin roof structure. In this case, as in the former, it is shown that additional stiffness can be derived from the shape of the structure, as well as in the prudent design of the material to utilize the anisotropic nature of the composite. Throughout, there is evidence of an awareness of the current research being pursued in this field. The book is well produced and the diagrams are well presented. The comprehensive index is an invaluable inclusion. It is, perhaps, a pity that other important structural forms such as pipes, tanks and vessels were not addressed. However, this might have taken the book beyond its stated intention of appealing to final-year undergraduates. The book is a worthy addition to the literature in this field. W. M. B ~ k s
Developments in Thin-waned Structures 2. Edited by J. Rhodes. 1984. Elsevier Applied Science Publishers Ltd, London. x + 240 pp. ISBN 0 85334 247 4. Price: £30.00. This is the second volume in this series of books under the general title 'Developments in Thin-walled Structures'. In this the editors have brought together a number of well-known engineers, all authorities in their own field, and allowed them to 'paint on a very wide canvas'. One is impressed by the scope of the topics covered, the analysis described and the range of industries represented. Such an interaction of concepts,