High strength, high stiffness, curved composite member

A composite member having selected curvature along an axis of elongation, comprising

• at least one interior ply having a first fiber component and a polymer matrix material, said first fiber component being helically-oriented relative to said axis,
• a first intermediate ply having a first axially extending fiber component, first and second interlace fiber components interlaced with said first axially extending fiber component, and a polymer matrix material, said first axially extending fiber component having a first angle of orientation relative to said axis substantially between zero and forty-five degrees, said first interlace fiber component oriented at an angle substantially between ten and sixty degrees relative to said first angle of orientation, said second interlace fiber component oriented relative to said first angle of orientation at an angle that is equal and opposite to said first interlace fiber component,
• a second intermediate ply having a second axially extending fiber component, third and fourth interlace fiber components interlaced with said second axially extending fiber component, and a polymer matrix material, said second axially extending fiber component having a second angle of orientation relative to said axis that is equal and opposite to said first angle of orientation, said third interlace fiber component oriented at an angle substantially between ten and sixty degrees relative to said second angle of orientation, said fourth interlace fiber component oriented relative to said second angle of orientation at an angle that is equal and opposite to said third interlace fiber component,
• at least one exterior ply having a second fiber component and said matrix material, said second fiber component being helically-oriented relative to said axis, and
• said first and second angles having selected different values along the length of said composite member such that said composite member has a bending stiffness that varies along said axis at selected different locations.