815 Trivedi Bhargav S., Sagar Chokshi International Journal of Engineering Technology Science and Research IJETSR www.ijetsr.com ISSN 2394 – 3386 Volume 4, Issue 8 August 2017 Modeling and Analytical Approach for Cotton/Epoxy Composite Laminates Trivedi Bhargav S. Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chandubhai S. Patel Institute of Technology, Changa, Charotar University of Science and Technology, Education Campus Changa, Gujarat, India. Sagar Chokshi * * Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chandubhai S. Patel Institute of Technology, Changa, Charotar University of Science and Technology, Education Campus Changa, Gujarat, India. ABSTRACT Composites are becoming anessential part of today’s material because they offer advantagessuch as low weight, corrosion resistance, high fatigue strength; faster assembly etc. composites aregenerating curiosity and interest all over the worlds.The objective of this research is to provide the simulation methodology for natural fiber composites to predict the tensile strength using FEA tool: ANSYS APDL. For this purpose, cotton fiber as a reinforcement and epoxy resin as a matrix is selected for the analysis of composites due to theavailability of its experimental data. The model is proposed for the composite laminates with 3 layers, 5 layers and 7 layers of fiber and resin. The models are prepared as per the specimen size of ASTM D3039 standard. The failure of the composite laminates is considered for the analysis of composite as per the matrix failure criteria. The comparison of the strength is carried out for the 3 layer, 5 layer, and 7 layer laminates and signifies outcome as increase the volume fraction of fiber, the tensile strength of the composites is increasing.The proposed modeling and analytical approach may be preferred for the prediction of the tensile strength of the composite laminates. KEYWORDS Cotton/Epoxy Composite, Modeling of composite laminates, Analysis of composite laminates, Comparison. INTRODUCTION The composite material is a material composed of two or more distinct phases (matrix phase and dispersed phase) and having bulk properties significantly different from those of any of the constituents[1].These high- performance composites consist of different constituents which are subjected to structural loads, or any type of loading, different deformations occur in different constituents leading to large differences of deformations and stresses between these constituents, which are known as residual deformations and stresses. Figure 1 shows the classification of composites [2]. Figure 1. Classification of Composites [2]. Composite Material Reinforcement of Geometry Particulate Fiber Flake Types of Matrix Polymer Metal Ceramic Carbon