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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 February 2011
This study was initiated to investigate the structural efficiency of the “bessbeetle” (Odontotaenius Disjunctus) as compared to typical “man-made” or synthetic composites. This synthetic laminate is configured according to standard composites design practices. In fact, an orthotropic unidirectional T300 tape with circular fibers and 60% fiber volume fraction is used. The specific ply orientation of the symmetric man-made composite is [0/+45/-45/90]2S. The natural laminate studied is unsymmetric with the individual plies made of the same orthotropic unidirectional T300 tape but with different ply orientation. Contrary to previous beliefs the natural composite did not assume a balance of inplane and bending properties which in essence mimic the behavior of isotropic behavior. The results of the efficiency of the natural composite for tension did not show any noticeable advantages while the pure bending case resulted in higher values for the principal stresses in the unsymmetric laminate.