STRUCTURAL PLASTICS DESIGN MANUAL. PHASE I. CHAPTERS 1-4

This design manual is intended to assist the practicing engineer in the evaluation and use of plastics as structural materials. Consequently, it emphasizes those technological aspects of the broad class of materials which affect structural behavior and outlines the various categories of plain and modified plastics, noting their basic behavior under the conditions of stress, strain, time, and temperature that control design. It reviews fabrication processes and their effects on materials usage and characteristics, and considers influences of the environment that result in degradation of structural properties. Above all, it examines the design principles and practices applicable to plastics and composites when employed structurally. Divided into four chapters, the manual covers these topics: (1) introduction to structural plastics material and composites, (2) behavior of structural plastics, (3) materials criteria for structural design, and (4) overall considerations in structural design with plastics. It is noted that development of successful plastics structures involves careful analysis of functional requirements and cost targets followed by consideration of all of the factors which affect the use of structural plastics: advantages of both structural and nonstructural qualities and characteristics, formability and structural configuration, combination with other parts of a system and efficiency of support arrangements, economics of processing design for efficient molding, accurate materials strength and stiffness characterization, determinations of stress and strain by an analysis which is appropriate for both structure and application, and final evaluation of structural adequacy by prototype test followed by monitoring and analysis of service performance. References and illustrations are provided.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Paper copy available from the Sup. of Docs., Stock number 023-000-00495-0
• Corporate Authors:

  Simpson Gumpertz and Heger, Incorporated

  1696 Massachusetts Avenue
  Cambridge, MA  United States  02138

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Urban Mass Transportation Administration

  400 7th Street, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Department of Housing and Urban Development

  451 7th Street, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20410

  Dow Chemical Company

  Abbott Road
  Midland, MI  United States  48640
• Authors:
  • Heger, F J
  • Chambers, R
  • Dietz, AGH
• Publication Date: 1978-7

Media Info

• Pagination: 505 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Composite materials; Design; Design methods; Fabrication; Manuals; Mechanical properties; Plastics; Polymers; Structural analysis; Structural design; Structural materials; Structural mechanics
• Uncontrolled Terms: Design criteria; Structural adequacy; Structural behavior
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; I35: Miscellaneous Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00313456
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: HUD/PDR-361
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jun 26 1980 12:00AM