The ability to predict potential strength degradation of a filament wound sphere was developed using an incremental finite element model of the composite during fabrication. The sphere was modeled taking into account the winding/loading pattern and the resulting internal layer boundaries. The thickness profile of the sphere's layers were computed using a thickness profile/pattern simulation program. This thickness profile was used by the mesh generating program to ensure that the elements generated did not cross , layer boundaries. The elements used were four noded isoparametric quadrilateral elements and these were collapsed to triangular elements for transitions. The input to the finite element program was prepared by an interface program which combines the mesh generator output with the loading and option control data. The main feature of the finite element program was the incremental construction and loading of the model. Strength degradation definitely occurs when the average fiber layer strain is negative. The negative strain means that all the winding tension has been lost from the layer and the fibers in uncured resin will buckle when they try to support compressive loading. Then when the resin cures the buckled region of fibers are degraded in strength. This model gives a layer-by-layer analysis of the potential strength loss of the composite.Ph. D.