Workflow / 03.3 Laminates

Turn ply definitions into
laminate decisions.

Connect stored or Micro-derived ply properties to a stacking sequence, then choose a compatible structural or separate analytical study.

Inspect a ply stack

8 plies · 1.000 mm total. Thickness is proportional in the section; line direction indicates angle, not a stress field.

1: 45° · 0.125 mm2: -45° · 0.125 mm3: 0° · 0.125 mm4: 90° · 0.125 mm5: 90° · 0.125 mm6: 0° · 0.125 mm7: -45° · 0.125 mm8: 45° · 0.125 mmPly 1 at top · illustrative section ordering

[θ / −θ / 0 / 90 / 90 / 0 / −θ / θ]

Teaching illustration only. Controls change this diagram, not your database or Workbench simulation. Use the Workbench solver for stresses, failure and qualified comparisons.

03.3 / Workflow focus

Connected engineering record
01

Ply stack

Set material references, angles and thicknesses. The stack defines laminate stiffness, mass and reference properties.

02

CLT and FSDT

ABD properties support laminate response. Finite-plate studies select CLT or FSDT within their supported boundary and study limits; static plate bending requires FSDT.

03

Failure and interfaces

Eligible CLT cases use the released failure criteria. Coupled delamination belongs to the supported layerwise section path with calibrated interfaces, not every plate solver.

04

Separate analytical studies

Open-hole strength, linear-shear LaRC04 initiation, axial creep and uncertainty use the linked laminate reference state. They do not automatically inherit process or progressive-damage histories.

05

Design exploration

Carpet maps and bounded optimization compare candidates. Apply a candidate and rerun the appropriate analysis; a saved result does not update itself.

Use this workflow in Workbench: interactive Blocks, record selections and connection controls →

Connected model layer

Laminates · released model connections

Expand a family for inputs, outputs, supported formulations, theory and an exercise. All model families ↗

Plate · CLT & FSDT

Structural models → Laminate mechanics · CLT / FSDT

InputsLaminate stiffness, finite plate dimensions, supported edges and study choiceResults / handoffFSDT static bending or selected buckling / modal results; not progressive damage

Choose a formulation and study. Buckling and modal can be requested together; static bending requires FSDT. These are reference-elastic studies, separate from coupled process or progressive failure.

Formulations and study choices
  • CLT
  • FSDT
  • Static bending
  • Modal
  • Buckling
  • Buckling and modal
Membrane, bending & beam buckling

Structural models → Laminate mechanics → Membrane, bending & beam

InputsLaminate, compatible section and static or Euler load caseResults / handoffMembrane / bending response or separate Euler buckling result

Geometry and the case determine the membrane or beam-test interpretation. Euler buckling requires a compatible beam section and a separate reference-elastic study; it is not a strength or local-buckling pass.

Formulations and study choices
  • Linear static
  • Linear static with failure indices
  • Beam Euler buckling
Failure & envelope comparison

Structural models → Laminate mechanics → Failure criteria

InputsEligible CLT load case, strengths / strain limits and selected criterionResults / handoffFirst-ply envelopes or supported progressive ply-damage histories; criteria are not blended

One primary failure criterion per load. In Response → Failure, compare all eligible theories or a custom selection in the envelope controls. Each theory runs independently; criteria are not blended.

Formulations and study choices
  • Maximum stress
  • Maximum strain
  • Tsai–Hill
  • Tsai–Wu
  • Hashin
D6641 · Compression coupon

Models → Structural models → ASTM · Virtual Test Lab

InputsLinked laminate and explicit specimen, load or measured calibration inputsResults / handoffUniform small-strain compression using linked laminate Ex and thickness. Measured compressive strength supplies a screening ratio; fixture, tabs, buckling and failure evolution are not simulated.

Uniform small-strain compression using linked laminate Ex and thickness. Measured compressive strength supplies a screening ratio; fixture, tabs, buckling and failure evolution are not simulated.

Formulations and study choices
  • Virtual test · compression coupon
D5379 / D7078 · Shear coupon

Models → Structural models → ASTM · Virtual Test Lab

InputsLinked laminate and explicit specimen, load or measured calibration inputsResults / handoffUniform nominal shear between notches using linked laminate Gxy and thickness. Not a notch/fixture stress field or nonlinear shear solution. Gauge length is the effective shear deformation length, not crosshead travel.

Uniform nominal shear between notches using linked laminate Gxy and thickness. Not a notch/fixture stress field or nonlinear shear solution. Gauge length is the effective shear deformation length, not crosshead travel.

Formulations and study choices
  • Virtual test · nominal shear coupon
D5528 · DCB opening

Models → Structural models → ASTM · Virtual Test Lab

InputsLinked laminate and explicit specimen, load or measured calibration inputsResults / handoffIdeal Euler–Bernoulli DCB with equal homogeneous 0° arms, each half the linked laminate thickness. No root rotation, shear, large displacement or cohesive growth. Critical load is an initiation estimate from supplied GIc.

Ideal Euler–Bernoulli DCB with equal homogeneous 0° arms, each half the linked laminate thickness. No root rotation, shear, large displacement or cohesive growth. Critical load is an initiation estimate from supplied GIc.

Formulations and study choices
  • Virtual test · DCB beam compliance
D7905 · ENF sliding

Models → Structural models → ASTM · Virtual Test Lab

InputsLinked laminate and explicit specimen, load or measured calibration inputsResults / handoffIdeal equal-arm, homogeneous 0° ENF beam; support span is twice the half-span. Crack must be shorter than the half-span. No shear/root correction or unstable crack growth. GIIc is supplied, not fitted automatically.

Ideal equal-arm, homogeneous 0° ENF beam; support span is twice the half-span. Crack must be shorter than the half-span. No shear/root correction or unstable crack growth. GIIc is supplied, not fitted automatically.

Formulations and study choices
  • Virtual test · ENF beam compliance
D6671 · Mixed-mode fracture envelope

Models → Structural models → ASTM · Virtual Test Lab

InputsLinked laminate and explicit specimen, load or measured calibration inputsResults / handoffBenzeggagh–Kenane envelope from calibrated GIc, GIIc and exponent. Supplied GI/GII are energy-release rates from a separate test reduction or analysis. This does not resolve the MMB lever fixture or propagate a crack.

Benzeggagh–Kenane envelope from calibrated GIc, GIIc and exponent. Supplied GI/GII are energy-release rates from a separate test reduction or analysis. This does not resolve the MMB lever fixture or propagate a crack.

Formulations and study choices
  • Virtual test · BK mixed-mode envelope
D5961 · Bearing / bypass screening

Models → Structural models → ASTM · Virtual Test Lab

InputsLinked laminate and explicit specimen, load or measured calibration inputsResults / handoffSingle-pin nominal bearing, net-section and shear-out checks with independent measured allowables. Bypass tension is added to net-section load only. No contact, bolt preload, load redistribution or validated bearing–bypass interaction envelope.

Single-pin nominal bearing, net-section and shear-out checks with independent measured allowables. Bypass tension is added to net-section load only. No contact, bolt preload, load redistribution or validated bearing–bypass interaction envelope.

Formulations and study choices
  • Virtual test · bearing bypass screening
D6484 · Open-hole compression

Models → Structural models → ASTM · Virtual Test Lab

InputsLinked laminate and explicit specimen, load or measured calibration inputsResults / handoffNominal gross/net stress and demand relative to measured open-hole compressive strength for this geometry and layup. This is test-data screening, not an uncalibrated notch-strength prediction. No local buckling or kink-band simulation.

Nominal gross/net stress and demand relative to measured open-hole compressive strength for this geometry and layup. This is test-data screening, not an uncalibrated notch-strength prediction. No local buckling or kink-band simulation.

Formulations and study choices
  • Virtual test · measured open-hole compression
D6742 · Filled-hole comparison

Models → Structural models → ASTM · Virtual Test Lab

InputsLinked laminate and explicit specimen, load or measured calibration inputsResults / handoffCompares user-measured open- and filled-hole compressive strengths using gross-section stress. Use matched layup, hole, environment and fastener condition. Filling a hole does not automatically recover strength; no fastener contact/preload model is applied.

Compares user-measured open- and filled-hole compressive strengths using gross-section stress. Use matched layup, hole, environment and fastener condition. Filling a hole does not automatically recover strength; no fastener contact/preload model is applied.

Formulations and study choices
  • Virtual test · measured filled-hole comparison
D7136 / D7137 · Impact & CAI assessment

Models → Structural models → ASTM · Virtual Test Lab

InputsLinked laminate and explicit specimen, load or measured calibration inputsResults / handoffIncident energy from measured impact velocity; residual compressive strength from measured peak CAI force. Rebound energy estimates energy not returned to the striker, NOT damage energy. No impact/contact solver, damage-area prediction or energy-to-strength extrapolation.

Incident energy from measured impact velocity; residual compressive strength from measured peak CAI force. Rebound energy estimates energy not returned to the striker, NOT damage energy. No impact/contact solver, damage-area prediction or energy-to-strength extrapolation.

Formulations and study choices
  • Virtual test · measured impact and CAI
Open-hole strength

Structural models → Laminate mechanics → Failure criteria → Open-hole strength

InputsSpecially orthotropic laminate, hole radius, unnotched strength and calibrated distancesResults / handoffPoint / average stress strength screening and radial stress profile

Infinite-width, specially orthotropic tension screening. Point and average stress distances must be calibrated independently for this laminate. Not compression, bearing or a joint allowable.

Formulations and study choices
  • Whitney–Nuismer open-hole tension
Creep & stress relaxation

Structural models → Laminate mechanics → Creep & stress relaxation

InputsLaminate Ex, Prony fractions / times and held stress or strain at calibration temperatureResults / handoffSeparate axial creep and relaxation curves with time-refinement safeguards

Linear uniaxial response at the calibration temperature. Reference Ex is the instantaneous modulus. Three Maxwell branches; creep is solved from stress equilibrium, not the reciprocal relaxation modulus. No thermal shifting or nonlinear creep.

Formulations and study choices
  • Generalized Maxwell · axial Prony
LaRC04 failure initiation

Structural models → Laminate mechanics → Failure criteria → LaRC04

InputsLaminate, membrane / bending resultants and calibrated effective ply strengthsResults / handoffLinear-shear LaRC04 initiation indices at ply faces; no progressive degradation

NASA LaRC04 linear-shear specialization, evaluated at both faces of every ply under membrane and bending loads. Supplied ply strengths are effective/in-situ values; no automatic thin-ply enhancement. Initiation only, not degradation or nonlinear-shear instability.

Formulations and study choices
  • LaRC04 · linear shear
Uncertainty & sensitivity

Structural models → Uncertainty & sensitivity

InputsLaminate, bounded modulus / thickness / angle variations, seed and axial loadResults / handoffABD axial-strain percentiles and signed correlations; not certified reliability

Seeded independent uniform sampling of shared modulus, ply-thickness and angle offsets. Recomputes laminate ABD for each sample. Bounds are assumptions, not measured distributions. Percentiles and sensitivity are exploratory, not reliability certification.

Formulations and study choices
  • Seeded laminate uncertainty
Normal-incidence laminate TMM

Models → Electromagnetics · RF → Normal-incidence laminate TMM

InputsExplicit dielectric A/B layers, thicknesses, repetition, frequency and supported polarizationResults / handoffReflection, transmission, absorption and shielding spectra; no mechanical coupling

Coherent isotropic nonmagnetic layers between air half-spaces.

Formulations and study choices
  • EM · Normal-incidence laminate TMM
Oblique polarized laminate TMM

Models → Electromagnetics · RF → Oblique polarized laminate TMM

InputsExplicit dielectric A/B layers, thicknesses, repetition, frequency and supported polarizationResults / handoffReflection, transmission, absorption and shielding spectra; no mechanical coupling

TE or TM waves; scalar isotropic layers, no polarization conversion.

Formulations and study choices
  • EM · Oblique polarized laminate TMM
1D transmission line matrix

Models → Electromagnetics · RF → 1D transmission line matrix

InputsExplicit dielectric A/B layers, thicknesses, repetition, frequency and supported polarizationResults / handoffReflected and transmitted pulse histories and spectra; mesh and energy checks

Normal-incidence lossless delay-line mesh with pulse decay, energy and mesh-refinement safeguards. Explicit Run required; not a 3D solver.

Formulations and study choices
  • EM · 1D transmission line matrix
1D Floquet–Bloch periodic layers

Models → Electromagnetics · RF → 1D Floquet–Bloch periodic layers

InputsExplicit dielectric A/B layers, thicknesses, repetition, frequency and supported polarizationResults / handoffPeriodic-cell eigenvalues, folded Bloch phase and stop-band decay

Lossless isotropic A/B unit-cell eigenvalues, folded Bloch phase and stop-band attenuation at normal incidence. Not arbitrary-cell homogenization.

Formulations and study choices
  • EM · 1D Floquet–Bloch periodic layers
Next workflow page03.4 Processing