Learning Forum

[s310413]

Hi everyone,

I have a shell body made of a composite material. I defined the composite material as a layered section, with three plies fiberglass-carbon fiber-fiberglass. In the layered section properties I can see the total mass of the layered section. Is it possible to get the mass of each layer independently? Thanks

[Thomas Hirche]

Hi,

there isn't a direct way to get the mass of an idividual layer from the layered section. A number of indirect ways are imaginable:

• define the layer of interest and then obtain its mass from the layered section properties. I am quite sure you could think already about that way.
• Another option could be to obtain the layer area and multiply it by its thickness and density. 
• MAPDL can be used in a command snippet
• A python result object could be used to process the first two points or by iterating through elements.

However, above methods are rather second choice. I'd like to encourage to use Ansys Composite PrepPost (ACP) to create your composite model. In ACP you would use the "Sensor" feature where you can calculate the required properties "by ply". By doing so you obtain the true ply mass and other properties, also in composite models of high complexity e.g. when each ply has variable extends or even variable thicknesses. You operate on the model as it is built. For more info on ACP please check out Ansys Help ACP User's Guide.

Please file a service request if you need further assistance, then our support team can help you to create e.g. a command snippet with appropriate MAPDL commands or through a python result.  

 

Regards

Thomas

[s310413]

Hi Thomas, thanks for your feedback. I thought there was a more direct way to get the mass of each ply but you confirmed that is not possible so I actually solved my issue using Python and the second point you mentioned. Thanks.