The current concerns regarding global warming and climate change in Europe and other parts of the world also influence developments in the automotive sector. Not only are alternative energy and power sources making their advent, but greenhouse gas emission reduction has also become a major factor in the development of vehicles with combustion engines. As passenger vehicles with such engines will be sold for probably a few more decades, additional options for emission reduction are still welcome. Mass reduction results directly in less greenhouse gas emission per driven kilometer, both in practice as in the official carbon dioxide (CO2) emission determination procedures.
This thesis is part of a project that tries to develop an additional option for passenger vehicle mass reduction, more specifically by replacing steel in the exhaust system with fibrereinforced plastic. The principle behind this solution is that fibrereinforced plastic has better mechanical properties per kilogram of material than steel. Yet, no plastic could endure direct exposure to exhaust gas flows because of the maximum gas temperature of 800 1000 ∘C....

An approach to optimizing variable stiffness laminates for strength is modified to allow for the optimization of curved structures. A density function to take in account the effect of gaps and overlaps during optimization created by fibre steering is found with the functional approximation method. The density plot of a plate for 2 standard cases is compared, after encountering complications an alternative solution is proposed with the finite element method.

Taniq develops technology for manufacturers of cord-reinforced rubber products t o improve their product performance and production process through product redesign and supply of software and production equipment. Taniq's technology is used for products ranging from straight large-bore hoses (0600 [mm]) to small bellowed expansion joints (0 < 100 [mm]). The current structural analysis used at Taniq is only able to predict fibre stresses of single-layered products in basic load cases. As many products require local reinforcements and/or multiple fibre layers this basic structural analysis is not proficient. Therefore these products are currently designed by trial-and-error. It is of importance to gain insights in the complete stress state throughout the product in any load case to facilitate a more efficient design process. This stress state can be used for static and dynamic strength predictions, and f o r the development of design guidelines for future products.