Developing and Implementing a Conceptual Composite Materials Design Database
Abstract Researchers and materials engineers require a greater understanding of the problems and solutions that emerge when integrating composite materials data with computer technology so that utilitarian composite materials databases can be developed to effectively and efficiently support analysis and design software. Composite materials constitute a representational challenge due to their composition and use. However, this paper suggests that a conceptual composite material data model and application software interfaces must be developed to support the dissemination and use of composite materials data. This paper primarily serves to analyze several of the problems facing developers of composite materials databases, evolving from the complexity of the materials themselves and from the current lack of testing and data representation standards. Without a clear understanding of the scope and nature of these problems, there is no possibility of designing concise yet comprehensive composites data models, yet we feel that such an understanding is presently lacking. In addition, an effort is made to present possible solutions to these difficulties being suggested and/or implemented both by the authors and by other researchers in the field. Such an effort provides a firm foundation upon which future research may be based.