This monograph presents selected problems in the linear theory of elasticity and rheology of thermosetting polymers and unidirectional fibre-reinforced thermoset ma-trix (UFRT) composites. All the issues and computational algorithms are formulated fully analytically, using advanced mathematical tools, including Lamé-type tasks for monotropic (transversely isotropic) elastic materials, standard and inverse Laplace transformations, a Mittag-Leffler fractional exponential function, Gauss-Legendre quadratures, complex quasi-shear/shear compliances, and the elastic-viscoelastic correspondence principle. The formulations, solutions and analyses of the issues contained in the book are fully original and unique in the world.
The Authors’ greatest achievements, which have the hallmarks of a scientific discovery, are the decoupling of the constitutive equations of elasticity of homoge-nized UFRT composites and formulation of the decoupled constitutive equations of rheology of these composites, using a single fractional exponential generic function. The advanced analytical modelling includes the homogenization theory of UFRT composites, the inverse problem in the homogenization theory of UFRT composites, the elastic and rheological constitutive modelling of thermosetting polymers and UFRT composites, experimental validation of the rheological model of thermosetting polymers, and numerical validation of the rheological model of UFRT composites.
The book also contains rich illustrative material including experimental identifi-cation of the viscoelastic constants of selected resins, numerical identification of the viscoelastic constants of representative UFRT composites, and simulations of select-ed rheological processes in the examined resin and UFRT composites.
The book is intended for researchers working on the mechanics of thermosetting polymers and fibre-reinforced thermoset matrix composites and laminates. Despite the advanced complex analytical modelling, the book is written in an accessible, pre-cise, and comprehensive manner. The presented theory of linear elasticity and rheol-ogy of thermosetting polymers and UFRT composites could be incorporated into doc-toral programmes in civil, mechanical, automotive, aeronautical and naval engineer-ing.