I am trying to model a sandwich panel (CFRP face sheets and PVC foam core) in Abaqus. I am using the composite layup tool with continuum shell elements. The material properties of the face sheets are defined as linear elastic-laminate. For the core I tried linear-elastic isotropic and linear-elastic laminate.
My problems is:
I define the stacking direction using the part coordinate system. My normal direction is "Axis 3" and my stacking direction is "Element direction 3". My model runs, but when I display the results the stacking direction for the middle ply (the foam) is not any longer 3, but along Axis 2. Out of curiosity I changed the stacking direction to Axis 2 and I obtained the right stacking sequence for the foam ply, but the face sheets plies now exhibit an inverted orientation. Any thoughts on that? (attached my composite lay-up definition)
Best,
Isabelle
check if the element orientation (stacking direction) for all continuum shell elements is the same. Often it´s not the case. You can do so in the meshing process. Mesh --> Orientation --> Stack
If tried it with a locally defined Coordinate system, but then I get this error:
The user defined normal of the material orientation of 300 elements, as defined in *ORIENTATION, is orthogonal to the GASKET, COHESIVE, SHELL or MEMBRANE normal direction.
These 300 elements are the middle ply (foam core).
I have done something wrong with the definition of a direction, but I cant think of where to change it.
check if the element orientation (stacking direction) for all continuum shell elements is the same. Often it´s not the case. You can do so in the meshing process. Mesh --> Orientation --> Stack
Yes! My mesh was stacked in different directions (no idea why), but it works now! Thank you!!
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