a connecting rod is composed of two or more assembled shells made of a composite , open over the entire length of the connecting rod . the shells incorporate clevis joints for introducing stress at each of their ends . the shells are produced separately then assembled together to form a sealed section . each shell is made from a material preimpregnated with long fibres . the production of each shell is simplified due to the overall shape of the shell as a simple curve , thus a shell may be produced industrially , for example , by thermoforming a flat composite preform . the two shells are assembled by simultaneous polymerization of the shells , by bonding , by welding , by riveting or any other assembly process or combination of assembly processes that are compatible with one another . the structural composite connecting rod obtained has very good mechanical properties , especially in compression , with a simple and economic production process .