The present book deals with various types of composite materials, failure of laminates, characterization of composites, analysis of laminates under static and dynamic loads, higher order theories for laminates and optimization of composite laminates. Unlike most of the books available in the market that are limited to discussing classical laminate behavior, this book offers composite material behavior and analysis along with the optimization technique. It includes higher order theory for the analysis and discusses optimization of composites under different loading environments.

The contents are well organized and discuss from the very beginning the need for composite materials, various kinds of fiber and matrix materials, their characteristics, failure of the lamina under axial and transverse loads, the behavior of the laminate, followed by optimization and manufacturing of composites. The characterizations of composites are discussed in detail. A good number of worked out examples have been provided in each chapter to illustrate the technique discussed in that chapter. Unsolved exercises have also been given at the end of each chapter for the students to work on.

This textbook is designed for undergraduate/graduate programs in aerospace, aeronautical, civil, mechanical engineering and applied mechanics. It can also be used for first and second semester postgraduate students pursuing a course on composite materials and analysis.