Can I define composite shells in WB Simulation?


WB Simulation 11.0 does not support direct definition of composite elements, such as composite shells. However, one can add composite definition to surface bodies in WB Simulation by performing the following steps:

1) Add a "Coordinate Systems" branch underneath the Model branch, if it does not already exist. Define a local Coordinate System that will define the orientation of your shell element coordinate systems, if orthotropic/anisotropic material definition is required. Note that the rules described in Section 2.3.1 "Element Coordinate Systems" of the ANSYS Elements Reference apply.

2) Under the Geometry branch, select the part(s) of interest, and in the Details view, change the Coordinate System to the coordinate system defined in step #1 above. This will define the element x-, y-, and z-axes for orthotropic or anisotropic materials.

3) Under the same parts, insert a "Commands" object. In the Commands object, the command syntax would like the following:
---
rdele,MATID
sectype,MATID,shell
secdata, <...>
---
The first command deletes the real constant definition. The second defines the shell section. The standard ANSYS commands for defining section definitions apply, so you can define asmany SECDATA commands as required for each layer. Note that if you have multiple materials, you may need to add "MP" commands in this Commands object to define material IDs (e.g., material ID #2000), then reference the material ID for a particular layer. You can also use other section commands like SECOFFSET and such, as needed.

If you want to save output data for all layers, you can also add "keyopt,MATID,8,1" or "keyopt,MATID,8,2", depending on whether you want to exclude or include the midlayer output.

Solve the model, and the composite definition will be used. Note, however, that postprocessing must be done in ANSYS General Postprocessor orvia "Commands" objects under the "Solution" branch in WB Simulation. This is because WB Simulation knows nothing of the composite definition, so the stress output for surface bodies with composite definition will not be correct inside of WB Simulation.

Further detailed information on ANSYS shell element capabilities and definition can be found in Chapter 17 "Shell Analysis and Cross Sections" in the ANSYS Structural Analysis Guide.

Also, Chapter 13 "Composites" of the ANSYS Structural Analysis Guide is also useful, especially if failure definitions are required.





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