04.12.2 / CDS Training Manual
Design a balanced
T700/epoxy tube laminate.
Rebuild NASA’s [±45]₄ thin-wall tube calculation, compare effective properties, and then explore the angle design space without losing the published baseline.
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Linked-input preview, not solved results. Gray blocks are not configured.
∑ Selected models & submodels
These are the exercise’s linked choices, not solved results. Open a first-layer model to see its submodels and scope.
Kamal–Sourour autocatalytic · Kamal–Sourour Epoxy Cure
Reusable material model. It contributes only when assigned to a material used by this simulation; separate model records can supply independent properties.
Calibration & applicability
Illustrative model defaults — replace with characterized resin kinetics
Temperature-dependent tabular · Temperature-dependent Thermal
Reusable material model. It contributes only when assigned to a material used by this simulation; separate model records can supply independent properties. Micro uses the 23 °C reference; Process evaluates the same table at local temperature, without extrapolation.
Calibration & applicability
Check source data, applicable environment and validity limits in the model record; saved defaults are not experimental validation.
1D Fickian diffusion · Layered Fickian Diffusion
Reusable material model. It contributes only when assigned to a material used by this simulation; separate model records can supply independent properties.
Calibration & applicability
Check source data, applicable environment and validity limits in the model record; saved defaults are not experimental validation.
Halpin–Tsai · IM7 / 8552 UD
One compatible homogenization model per Micro recipe. Separate recipes compare models; their predictions are not blended.
∑ Theory & assumptionsCLT · Linear thin-wall membrane · Cylinder — Internal Pressure · Pressure vessel
Shared laminate stiffness drives this membrane/CLT path. Failure criteria are independent comparisons, not blended models. Fatigue is a separate assessment.
∑ Theory & assumptionsData travelling between blocks
Micro → Laminates
Predicted ply stiffness, strength, density and expansion properties.
Materials → Micro
Constituent stiffness, strength, density and thermal / moisture properties.
Models → Materials
Model choices and calibrated parameters.
Mechanical → Simulation
SIMULATION selects this case and its analysis model; the case owns its applicable cycle and input references.
Laminates → Mechanical
Ply angles and thicknesses, stiffness, mass and ply properties.
Geometry → Mechanical
Shape and dimensions for the selected structural analysis.
Simulation → Optimization
Linked inputs and current-property response for candidate evaluation.
Reference validation · 2026-09-18
Not benchmark validated
No matched quantitative reference comparison completed for the full exercise.
Recorded baseline only—not a certification of the current database, edited inputs, or every output. Analytical agreement is not experimental material or failure validation.
Source validation, comparisons and tested inputs
Execution: Completed (not validation)
The copied IM7 pressure-vessel records are scaffolding. Replace the ply source and dimensions with the published T700/epoxy inputs; a pressure load is not an axial or torsional test.
- NASA/TM—2014-216635 — Engineered Polymer Composites Through Electrospun Nanofiber Coating of Fiber Tows ↗Tables 1–2, printed pages 11–12 / PDF pages 15–16. Published estimated ply inputs and CLPT tube properties, not qualified or experimentally validated strengths.
Tested inputs
Input SHA-256: 8a86a623acc8d1dbf229bcb467cc07faef12e797aff844c6cc071a5fa1cb8be4
Solver source SHA-256: 30c8a614b6cb004a26da8adaf8ab7c534c37c4d534836921939f35a549e1bcc5
- Classical-laminate and first-ply screening. Manufacturing variation and qualification are excluded; the source describes estimated ply data.
Separate published-data fixture: Benchmark validated — published calculation
Separate source-matched stiffness fixture, NOT the unchanged IM7 starter. Only Ex, Gxy and νxy. No experimental or strength validation.
| Quantity | CDS | Reference | Error % | Tolerance (relative + absolute) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ex (GPa) | 27.71415 | 27.7 | 0.05108303 | 1% + 0.00002 GPa | Pass |
| Gxy (GPa) | 39.54424 | 39.6 | -0.1408081 | 1% + 0.00002 GPa | Pass |
| νxy (—) | 0.67558 | 0.68 | -0.65 | 1% + 0.00002 — | Pass |
- NASA/TM—2014-216635 — Engineered Polymer Composites Through Electrospun Nanofiber Coating of Fiber Tows ↗Tables 1–2, printed pages 11–12 / PDF pages 15–16. Published estimated ply inputs and CLPT tube properties, not qualified or experimentally validated strengths.
Fixture inputs
{
"E1GPa": 153,
"E2GPa": 10.5,
"G12GPa": 8.27,
"nu12": 0.3,
"stack": "[45/-45]4",
"thicknessMm": 2.345
}Download source-validation evidence (JSON) · Full 104-exercise study
Reproduce the classical-laminate response of a balanced [±45]₄ T700/epoxy tube and use it as a controlled starting point for a design study.
CDS can reproduce the laminate constitutive and first-ply screening calculations. It does not reproduce manufacturing variation or certify the report’s estimated input properties.
Published basis
1 primary sourceStarting data
Enter in the displayed units| Variable | Value | How it is used |
|---|---|---|
| Ply E1 / E2 / G12 | 153 / 10.5 / 8.27 GPa | Orthotropic lamina elasticity |
| Ply ν12 | 0.30 | In-plane Poisson coupling |
| Xt / Xc | 2760 / 781 MPa | Longitudinal tension and compression |
| Yt / Yc / S | 76.5 / 233 / 89.6 MPa | Transverse and shear failure inputs |
| Layup | [+45/−45]₄ | Eight equal-thickness plies |
| Tube OD / ID | 52.95 / 48.26 mm | Nominal wall thickness and geometry |
Review checkpoints
Comparison, not certification| Result | Published reference | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Axial modulus | 27.7 GPa | Published thin-wall CLPT estimate |
| Shear modulus | 39.6 GPa | Published [±45]₄ laminate estimate |
| Axial Poisson ratio | 0.68 | Large extension coupling expected for the angle-ply tube |
| Tension / compression / torsion | 179 MPa / 176 MPa / 290 MPa | Estimated laminate strengths, not qualified allowables |
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Create the published T700/epoxy ply
Create a separate orthotropic lamina record using the estimated ply properties reported by NASA.
- Enter the elastic constants and five in-plane strength values from the table.
- Set the record status to Representative and attach the NASA report as its source.
- Keep out-of-plane and environmental terms incomplete unless a documented source is available.
Build the balanced tube laminate
Create eight plies in the sequence [45/−45]₄ with equal thickness.
- Use the published OD and ID to calculate the nominal wall thickness: (52.95 − 48.26)/2 = 2.345 mm.
- Set each of eight plies to approximately 0.2931 mm so the stack matches that nominal wall.
- Confirm the LiveStack shows four balanced ±45 pairs and that A16 and A26 are near zero.
Review effective laminate properties
Run the laminate calculation and compare the axial modulus, in-plane shear modulus and major Poisson ratio with the published CLPT estimates.
- Open the laminate Summary and export Ex, Gxy and νxy.
- Record the absolute and percentage differences from 27.7 GPa, 39.6 GPa and 0.68.
- Inspect whether the thickness convention or transverse shear treatment explains any discrepancy.
Explore the design space without changing the benchmark
Preserve the baseline, then use a duplicate for a carpet or optimization study.
- Sweep the ±45 family while holding ply count, material and total wall thickness fixed.
- Map axial modulus against shear modulus and display extrema.
- Save the baseline and the best candidate as separate snapshots so the NASA configuration remains available for comparison.
Run a first-ply screening check
Apply axial or torsional loading separately and compare the predicted onset with the report’s estimated laminate strengths.
- Select a failure criterion supported by the available in-plane allowables.
- Run axial tension, axial compression and torsion as separate cases.
- Use the reported 179 MPa tension, 176 MPa compression and 290 MPa shear only as study checkpoints.
Workbench availability: released models, inputs and compatible study paths. The wider theory library includes reference formulations not available in every Workbench solve.