Special issue “Advanced composites: From materials characterization to structural application”

Abstract

The modern industry allows synthesizing composite materials of a wide range of physical properties that are intensively applied in various fields (medicine, aviation, automotive), but variety of different solutions causes a major engineering problem that is the absence of appropriate methodology for structural design. The lack of interdisciplinary cooperation is the main reason contributing to the gap between construction engineers, technologists, and material experts, and, hence, constricting design possibilities of efficient structures. Structural application prospective of innovative materials requires development of a new concept for the structural design related with development of materials with mechanical properties properly tailored for the construction purposes. In fact, this way is opposite to the existing practice when design solutions are related to utilization of existing materials, which physical properties, in general, are imperfect. The current trends in material engineering enable to incorporate different topics into the scope of such activity. For instance, nanoparticles can be used to modify structure of materials; fibrous reinforcement is suitable to improve mechanical properties of structural composites; the manufacturing technology may incorporate 3D printing and so on. This Special Issue is focused on identification of fundamental relationships between structure of advanced composites and the corresponding physical properties. The aim of this Issue is to combine the innovative achievements of the experts in the fields of materials and structural engineering to raise scientific and practical value of the gathered results of the interdisciplinary researches.