You should go Solid Solid modeling i.e. you should model this layer as a volume. Because Solid-Shell Modelling may creat problem during meshing and solutions. Otherwise you can use layered element i.e. either Solid 191 or Solid 46.

Sir, 

       The solid 191 and solid 46 are no longer supported in ANSYS 14 or higher version how can we use this element? For ANSYS 14, we have solid 185 or solid 186 layered element. You can check the verification model 144 from the ANSYS verification manual to get the detail of how to model the composites using layered element.

Check the attachment.

dear Mohammed

You can use both elements solid185(Solid45) and solid186(solid46) for modeling of composites layer Same as a Solid,there for you should crate a Solid geometry for composite. also you can use shell181 for composites elements,in this case you should create a area geometry for composite. You should use one of these methods for modeling according to the conditions.

Regards.

behzad.

Hi Mohammaed,

If the layer thickness compared with its other dimensions is very small, I prefer to use shell element rather than solid. You may face a problem defined by non reasonable results if you model a thin geometries like shells, plates and layers as a volume.

Regards   

Dear Mohammed,

If working with shells or solids also depends on the stresses/contact forces you are interested in and not only the laminate thickness. However, for moderate to thick laminates and/or if 3D stresses are of interest, you should use layered solids. But 1mm thick laminate is quite thin.

State-of-the-art layered solid elements in ANSYS:

solid185, solid186 or solsh190 (for thin layered solids).

The generation of the layered solid model can be easily done by using ANSYS Composite PrepPost (ACP). It allows you to generate a layered solid mesh based on the laminate definition on a shell mesh. Follow the link below for more details.

Best regards,

Rene

http://resource.ansys.com/staticassets/ANSYS/staticassets/resourcelibrary/article/AA-V7-I1-Designing-Solid-Composites.pdf

if you have single layer 5mm thick of composite , can we model it using solid185 homogeneous structural solid? bcoz it's single layer is it necessary to use layered solid 185??

Hi Aamina,

If you have a 'single layered' solid you don't have to use the layer option of the solid185 or 186 element. But in that case you have to manually adjust the element coordinate system if your material has an orthotropic characteristic.

Regards

In the option of element(Solid185 and 186), put the layered construction(K3) as Layered Solid. Then, in the section menu->Shells->Lay-up set the thickness and orientation of each layer.

Pleas in ansys 15 there is a message told me this element not longer supported ( composite beam ) . What can I do. Thanks a lot.