Structural Modeling and analysis of composite product system: A graph theoretic approach

An attempt is made to develop an integrated systems model for the structure of the composite product system in terms of its constituents and interactions between the constituents and the molding processes, curing kinetics, etc. using graph theory and matrix algebra. The composite product system is first modeled with the help of a graph theory, then by a variable adjacency matrix and then by a multinomial known as a permanent function. The permanent function provides an opportunity to carry out structural analysis of the composite product in terms of strength, weakness, improvement, and optimization by correlating the properties of a composite with its structure. A physical meaning has been associated with each term of the permanent function. Different structural attributes of the composite product are identified to develop a graph theoretic model, a matrix 6 model, and a multinomial permanent model of the composite. A top-down approach for complete analysis of any composite product system is also given. A general methodology is also presented for characterization and comparison of two composite product systems. Usefulness of the present methodology is also illustrated.