the as shown in figure 3.12.

Laminates are defined in OptiStruct through the STACK

bulk data card.
7. Create ply-based properties. In zone-based composite modeling, a laminated zone
property definition defines a laminate zone. On assignment of a laminated zone
property definition to an element, the element stiffness matrix is completely
defined. However, in the case of ply-based modeling, a ply-based property is simply
a template property defining element level laminate property definitions, such as
element offset defined by Z0 on the PCOMPP bulk data card. Assignment of a ply-
based property to an element �tags� the element as having a ply-based laminate
definition. Elements actual property is then automatically resolved from the ply
and stack definitions that are defined by the PLY and STACK bulk data cards above.
Ply-based properties are defined in OptiStruct through the PCOMPP bulk data card.
Repeat step 8 to 13.
8. Assign ply-based properties to the elements
9. Create boundary
10. Create load steps
11. Create control cards
12. Export the solver input file Post-process the composite analysis results.
13. Post-process the composite analysis results
At first glance, it may appear that the composite ply-based modeling method is more
cumbersome than the composite zone-based modeling method based solely on the number
of steps required to build the composite models between the two methods. However,
upon modification of any composites model, due to a design
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update, the efficiency of the composite ply-based modeling techniques become
readily apparent. In addition, composite ply-based modeling techniques have
significant advantages for composite design optimization.
iii. Composite Ply-by-Ply Solid Modeling
Composite ply-by-ply solid modeling is the most accurate modeling technique and
isth element of the kth ply. There are several methods for defining the element
material coordinate system for various finite element analysis solvers. However,
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most solvers define the element material coordinate system x-axis as an angle ?
from the G1-G2 vector about the element normal as shown in figure 3.13. An element
material coordinate system is defined in OptiStruct through the ? field on the
CTRIA3 or CQUAD4 bulk data cards.
Fig 3.13: Ply-Based Element Material System and Ply Orientation
4. Create homogeneous ply materials for each unique ply material that is utilized
within the laminates that make up the composite structure. In general, most solvers
support the creation of plane stress isotropic, transversely isotropic, and
orthotropic homogeneous ply materials. Homogeneous ply materials are defined in
OptiStruct through the MAT1 (isotropic), MAT2 (anisotropic), or MAT8 (orthotropic)
bulk data cards.
5. Create plies that make up the composite structure. The principal difference
between a ply and a ply definition within a laminate zone property definition of
zone-based shell modeling is that a ply additionally defines the ply shape along
with the ply data of material, thickness, and fiber direction. It is the ply shape
data that is the critical piece of data that allows for the automatic calculation
of the composite laminate zones. By defining a ply in this way, building composite
models is exactly analogous to the composite structures manufacturing process
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where a ply is cut to shape and then stacked to build up a laminated composite
structure. For each ply the following ply data is typically required;
� Ply material identification number, MID field on the PLY bulk data card defines
the plane stress stiffness matrix in the material coordinate system [Q] for the
ply.
� Ply thickness, tk field on the PLY bulk data card.
� Ply nominal fiber direction, ?k field on the PLY bulk data card. The ply fiber
direction is always relative to the element material coordinate system x-axis as
defined in figure 3.13.
� Ply actual fiber direction, ?i field defined on the DRAPE bulk data card for each
element of the ply shape. The DID field on the PLY bulk data card references the
drape table which defines the actual fiber directions for each element of the ply.
The ply actual fiber direction is always relative to the ply nominal fiber
direction as defined in figure 3.13. Typically, the ply actual fiber direction ?i
is used to interface with draping solvers and obtain more accurate fiber directions
for the ply as it is actually manufactured on the final part.
� Ply results, SOUT field on the PLY bulk data card determines whether or not to
calculate and output results for the ply.
� Ply shape. The ply shape is typically defined by a set of elements that represent
the actual ply shape on the mesh of the composite structure and is defined by the
ESID field on the PLY bulk data card.
It is recommended that users consult the OptiStruct solver documentation for the
ply definitions used within. Plies are defined in OptiStruct through the PLY bulk
data card. The actual fiber orientation angle for a ply is defined in OptiStruct
through the DRAPE bulk data card.
6. Create laminates by stacking plies in a given stacking sequence order. Typically
ply 1