Composites: Future of Structural Engineering by Ahmedabad University

Composite often refers to something made up of several parts or elements. The same reasoning can be extended to composite materials that combine different ingredients with significant differences in their properties. This endows the material with the best individual properties of the constituent materials, exhibiting excellent properties that neither of the ingredients has.

Ahmedabad University has started a new programme, MTech in Composites, from 2024-2025 under the School of Engineering and Applied Science. Master of Technology programme in Composites at Ahmedabad University will help to bridge the gap of providing the knowledge and industry needs. To know all about MTech in Composites, read the full article below.

Application of Composites

Several years ago, wood and metal were combined to create wheels used in bullock carts. Today, the concept has evolved with technological advancements and can be extended to several innovations. For example, glass fibres made from silica and carbon fibres made from crude oil are combined with plastic binding material such as epoxy or polyester, providing a material that can be used in aerospace and automotive applications.

Advantages of Composites

Composite material enhances material properties to meet specific targets such as weight reduction of structure, resistance to extreme temperatures, and chemical effects. Let us understand the benefits in detail.

Low-density material with the same or higher stiffness and strength is required for weight reduction of any structure, especially in structures like an aircraft, where several metal components are replaced by carbon fibre composite material. Several other targets, such as resistance to extreme temperatures, are required by a spacecraft's Thermal Protection System (TPS) when re-entry into the atmosphere from outer space. For resisting chemical effects such as corrosion, either material insensitive to corrosion is used or a coating of such material is applied. Several examples can be given where the main or base material's properties are altered to change its gross properties after combining with several other materials.

Composites – A Field of Study

Generally, materials are separated into two categories–first, isotropic (same properties in all directions) and homogeneous (consistency in the material ingredients in all directions), and second, anisotropic and non-homogeneous. The mechanical behaviour of isotropic and homogeneous materials is well understood, and design and analysis processes are well established. In the case of composite material, which is anisotropic and nonhomogeneous, mechanical behaviour is quite complex. Separate theories and processes are studied, and research is conducted to design and analyse these materials' components.

Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites have been extremely popular in aerospace, defence, automotive, and construction industries due to their inherent property of low density and higher stiffness and strength. Over the years, Carbon FRP (CFRP) material has replaced several aerospace components, and significant weight reduction has been achieved. Manufacturing processes have also evolved because of the extensive use of Glass FRP (GFRP) and CFRP material in industries. However, the manufacturing processes and corresponding design and analysis need to be better integrated with the engineering curriculum as required by industries.

Why study Composites?

Emerging economies like India focus on manufacturing indigenous engineering products, with aerospace, defence, and urban mobility being the key sectors. This has increased the use of advanced lightweight composites for weight savings, improving fuel economy, payload, quality, and service life—a trend expected to grow. This calls for highly skilled engineers proficient in designing, developing, testing, and manufacturing parts and assemblies involving advanced composite materials.

More serious academic institutes need to offer a comprehensive programme on composite materials and structures. Addressing this gap, the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Ahmedabad University is offering a new Master of Technology programme in Composites (MTech Composites) from 2024-2025. Aligned with industry needs, the programme will provide comprehensive knowledge about composites design and materials, tooling, testing, manufacturing supply chain, quality assurance, and industry-related professional practices.

Ahmedabad Programme MTech in Composites: Programme Highlights

• Comprehensive introduction to composites.

• Mechanics of composites, including anisotropic properties and failure theories, employing principles of mechanics and continuum mechanics to understand material behaviour comprehensively.

• Mathematical tools for advanced numerical analysis and Finite Element Analysis (FEA).

• Intricacies of designing composite structures.

• Providing hands-on experience in composite manufacturing through comprehensive courses covering various processes and techniques.

• Importance of testing and validatiotechniques aresite design.

• Tooling design and manufacturing techniques essential for composite manufacturing, alongside comprehensive coverage of quality management systems, adherence to international standards, and inspection practices ensuring product quality.

• Insights into the composites industry from the perspectives of experienced professionals.

• A year-long industry project as part of the MTech thesis, guided by faculty and industry experts, provides hands-on experience in solving real-world problems and delivering tangible results.

In case of any queries, mail Ahmedabad University Graduate Admissions Office - Call at +91 8799189868, +91.79.61911126/1127

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