Structural unitary composite laminate structure and method for making same

A single piece, macro-scale unitary composite laminate structure comprising an inner core layer and an outer encapsulating layer co-adhered one to the other by a bonding material for fusing together said inner and outer layers to produce said unitary structure, and a high shear strength, load-bearing matrix comprising a plurality of uncrimped, load-bearing synthetic filaments which are physically connected together to prevent movement of said filaments under load conditions, said load-bearing matrix disposed between said respective inner core layer, said outer encapsulating layer, being oriented substantially entirely in the load bearing direction, said unitary composite structure including means attached to said load-bearing matrix for absorbing forces imparted to said structure and thereby minimizing the effects of shear stress and being capable of resisting delamination under load conditions requiring high tensile and high shear strength, and said force absorbing means comprising a mat of synthetic fibers which are physically attached to said load-bearing matrix, said single-piece, macro-scale unitary structure having a longitudinal dimension of at least about 16 fee, and a lateral dimension of at least about 8 fee, respectively.