Learning Forum

[Zaid Abd Al-Hadi]

Hey!

I read in Ansys help that the layers in a layered element will be as defined by the section command.
for example: if I have a 4mm thick laminate, meshed with a 1mm layered element. so 4 elements across the thickness,
and there are 4 layers defined in the section command.

does this mean that the whole model has 16 layers (4 layers for each element * 4 elements across the thickness) or only 4 layers?
what is the difference for the same situation but using a non-layered element?

best regards

[Chandra Sekaran]

Are you modeling composite laminate. Typically 'layer' definition is used to define the various layers of a composite structures. So you could have a 4 mm thick element (in your case) but with section definition you can define for example, 3 layers. Each layer can use a different material, layer orientation and thickness but together the 3 layers will add up to 4 mm thickness.

[Zaid Abd Al-Hadi]

thanks for replying,

yes, I'm trying to model a composite plate using reinforcing elements, but I can't get it right.

the commands are as follows:

MP,EX,1
MP,NU,1
MP,DENS,1

MP,EX,2
MP,NU,2
MP,DENS,2

ET,1,SOLID185
KEYOPT,1,3,1         !LAYERED SOLID
MAT,1
ESYS,0
SECNUM,1

SECTYPE,1,SHELL
SECDATA,0.001,1,45, ,L1
SECDATA,0.001,1,-45, ,L2
SECDATA,0.001,1,-45, ,L3
SECDATA,0.001,1,45, ,L4

BLOCK,0,0.1,0,0.1,0,0.004        !PLATE WITH 100X100X4 (mm)

ESIZE,0.001
MSHKEY,1
MSHAPE,0
VMESH,ALL

SECTYPE,2,REINF,SMEAR

SECDATA,2,1.97E-11,5.2961e-6,0,0,LAYN,1                           !MAT, FIB. DIA., SPACING, KCN, THETA, PATT, LAYER# 

SECDATA,2,1.97E-11,5.2961e-6,0,0,LAYN,2

SECDATA,2,1.97E-115.2961e-6,0,0,LAYN,3

SECDATA,2,1.97E-11,5.2961e-6,0,0,LAYN,4

SECCONTROL, ,1, ,

 

ESEL,ALL

EREINF
.....................................................

when the reinforcing section is defined as "2", (i.e sectype,2,reinf), it gives error: the specified reinforcing section 2 for section 2 is a LAYn pattern with layer number greater than one and must be overlaid with a shell. 
 
if the reinforcing section is defined "1", it gives error: reinforcment No.2 in section 1 for REINF element xxxx specifies a layer number which is greater than the total number of layers defined for the base element 2.

 

despite, my goal is to use a shell section and a reinforcing section in the same element, what is the best way to do this?

thanks in advance