Importing Composite Properties

You can import a composite property. In the simulation context, composite properties are applied to 2D geometries on which composite design is defined in the Composite Design workbench.

Before you begin:
  • Composite design must be defined. To learn more about composite design, see the Composite Design User's Guide.
  • An isotropic or orthotropic (orthotropic 2D, orthotropic 3D, fiber, or honey comb) material must be applied to the composite design. To learn more about isotropic and orthotropic material, see ELFINI Linear Elastic Material Properties.
Related Topics
Meshing 2D Geometries
Updating All Properties
Shell Property
Membrane Property
Shear Panel Property

  1. In the Structural Properties toolbar, click Imported Composite Properties .

    The Imported Composite Property dialog box appears.

  2. Optional: In the Name box, modify the property name.

  3. Select a 2D body as property support.

    By default, all the composite design contained in the selected 2D body is selected.

  4. In the Analysis list, select one of the following approaches:

    • By zone to take into account the preliminary design defined in the Composite Design workbench. The stacking order is not taken into account.
    • By ply to take into account manufacturing parameters (producibility). The producibility parameters allow realistic computation of composite fiber orientation on geometry by taking into account the way of applying fibers on this geometry (stacking order). You can define a fiber orientation on geometry even if the geometry is collinear to the Z-axis of the composite rosette.

  5. To refine the ply or zone selection:

    1. Click .
    2. If you selected By zone, select one or several zone groups. If you selected By ply, select one or several plies or ply groups.
    3. Click Close.

  6. If you selected By ply, you can transfer producibility and take into account manufacturing parameters.

    1. Click .
    2. Select the Transfer producibility check box.
    3. Click Close.

  7. Optional: To take into account the draping direction defined in the Composite Design workbench in the surface offset computation, clear the Symmetrical check box.

    By default, the Symmetrical check box is selected. Thus, the thickness is distributed symmetrically.

    Symmetrical distribution applies the composite thickness as though the selected supports are at the center of the composite thickness. Toggling this option off lays (drapes) the composite thickness on top of the supports as they would be layered on top of a mold; appropriate offsets are added in the analysis to account for the thickness. This option usually makes little difference for thin composites or models with few plies.

  8. In the Type list, select one of the following physical types:

    • Shell to add a shell physical behavior to the composite property. See Shell Property.
    • Membrane to apply a membrane physical behavior to the composite property. See Membrane Property.
    • Shear panel to apply a shear panel physical behavior to the composite property. See Shear Panel Property.
      Warning: Select Shear panel only if you are working with linear quadrangle elements (QD4). If you associate a shear panel physical type to linear or parabolic triangle elements (TR3 or TR6) or parabolic quadrangle elements (QD8), a membrane physical type is automatically associated to those elements. In this case, a warning message is displayed when you update the property.

  9. To control the number of zones or plies to be used in the simulation context, select the Core sampling depth check box, and enter a value to define the core sampling.

    A core sampling depth equal to 0mm means that the sampling is done endlessly.

    Important: For U-shape and recovering surfaces, it is recommended to use carefully the core sampling depth, and to enter a sufficient value to capture the composite design, but not on both sides.
    In the following example, a core sampling depth equal to c1 is correct, and a core sampling depth equal to c2 gives incorrect results.

  10. Click OK.