Center for Composite Materials
Launch WorkbenchTry DemoContact

VIRTUAL TESTING / CDS WORKBENCH

ASTM D3518 · ±45° in-plane shear

Uses axial tension on a laminate with plus and minus 45-degree plies to characterize its in-plane shear response.

Coupon response · Play test

Official ASTM D3518/D3518M-18(2025) ↗

Open this exercise in Workbench ↗

CDS sign-in and suitable licensed access may be required.

Recorded instructional case · Workbench captures and saved calculation data, October 2026. This website preview does not run the test.

01

Specimen & fixture

Actual Workbench D3518 ±45° in-plane shear setup
Live Load / calculated loading view · Full-size capture ↗
02

Calculated response

Pre-activation CLT response

Nominal shear stress (MPa)

Recorded instructional case. Nominal shear strain (%) versus Nominal shear stress (MPa). Exact saved values are available in the table below.83.89062.920.43741.950.873920.971.31101.748

Nominal shear strain (%)

View plotted values
Pre-activation CLT response — recorded values
SeriesNominal shear strain (%)Nominal shear stress (MPa)
Native CLT ramp reduction00
Native CLT ramp reduction0.0371874999999999841.7849999999999988
Native CLT ramp reduction0.074374999999999973.5699999999999976
Native CLT ramp reduction0.111562499999999985.354999999999997
Native CLT ramp reduction0.148749999999999947.139999999999995
Native CLT ramp reduction0.18593749999999998.924999999999994
Native CLT ramp reduction0.2231249999999999610.709999999999994
Native CLT ramp reduction0.260312499999999912.494999999999994
Native CLT ramp reduction0.297499999999999914.27999999999999
Native CLT ramp reduction0.334687499999999816.064999999999987
Native CLT ramp reduction0.371874999999999817.849999999999987
Native CLT ramp reduction0.409062499999999919.634999999999987
Native CLT ramp reduction0.446249999999999921.419999999999987
Native CLT ramp reduction0.4834374999999998523.20499999999998
Native CLT ramp reduction0.520624999999999824.989999999999988
Native CLT ramp reduction0.557812499999999726.77499999999998
Native CLT ramp reduction0.594999999999999828.55999999999998
Native CLT ramp reduction0.632187499999999830.34499999999998
Native CLT ramp reduction0.669374999999999632.129999999999974
Native CLT ramp reduction0.706562499999999833.91499999999998
Native CLT ramp reduction0.743749999999999635.699999999999974
Native CLT ramp reduction0.780937499999999737.48499999999997
Native CLT ramp reduction0.818124999999999839.269999999999975
Native CLT ramp reduction0.855312541.05499999999998
Native CLT ramp reduction0.892499999999999842.839999999999975
Native CLT ramp reduction0.929687544.62499999999997
Native CLT ramp reduction0.966874999999999746.40999999999996
Native CLT ramp reduction1.004062499999999948.19499999999997
Native CLT ramp reduction1.041249999999999649.979999999999976
Native CLT ramp reduction1.078437551.764999999999965
Native CLT ramp reduction1.115624999999999453.54999999999996
Native CLT ramp reduction1.152812499999999655.33499999999995
Native CLT ramp reduction1.189999999999999557.11999999999996
Native CLT ramp reduction1.227187499999999958.90499999999995
Native CLT ramp reduction1.264374999999999660.68999999999996
Native CLT ramp reduction1.301562499999999562.47499999999995
Native CLT ramp reduction1.338749999999999264.25999999999995
Native CLT ramp reduction1.375937499999999866.04499999999996
Native CLT ramp reduction1.413124999999999567.82999999999996
Native CLT ramp reduction1.450312499999999769.61499999999995
Native CLT ramp reduction1.487499999999999271.39999999999995
Native CLT ramp reduction1.524687499999999873.18499999999995
Native CLT ramp reduction1.561874999999999574.96999999999994
Native CLT ramp reduction1.599062499999999876.75499999999994
Native CLT ramp reduction1.636249999999999578.53999999999995
Native CLT ramp reduction1.673437580.32499999999996
Native CLT ramp reduction1.71062582.10999999999996
Native CLT ramp reduction1.747812499999999883.89499999999992
03

Set up in CDS

  1. Build a balanced ±45° laminate from linked ply records.
  2. Apply axial tension to the coupon.
  3. Reduce nominal shear stress and axial/transverse strains.
  4. Review the CDS laminate response and model limits.
Axial loading of the ±45° layupNominal shear reduction from coupon responseLinked ply stiffness and the selected response model
Inputs for this recorded case
  • 250 × 25 × 2 mm
  • 8 plies / 2 mm
  • Selected force 8389.5 N
  • Reference force 1000 N

These are teaching-case inputs, not ASTM-prescribed specimen dimensions or acceptance criteria.

04

Response & readout

Pre-activation load–extension

Force (N)

Recorded instructional case. Gauge extension (mm) versus Force (N). Exact saved values are available in the table below.8,38906,2920.061594,1950.12322,0970.184800.2463

Gauge extension (mm)

View plotted values
Pre-activation load–extension — recorded values
SeriesGauge extension (mm)Force (N)
Native load–displacement00
Native load–displacement0.005241285507755043178.4999999999999
Native load–displacement0.010482571015510086356.9999999999998
Native load–displacement0.01572385652326513535.4999999999997
Native load–displacement0.02096514203102017713.9999999999995
Native load–displacement0.026206427538775216892.4999999999993
Native load–displacement0.031447713046530261070.9999999999993
Native load–displacement0.03668899855428531249.4999999999993
Native load–displacement0.041930284062040341427.999999999999
Native load–displacement0.047171569569795381606.4999999999986
Native load–displacement0.052412855077550431784.9999999999986
Native load–displacement0.057654140585305481963.4999999999986
Native load–displacement0.062895426093060522141.9999999999986
Native load–displacement0.068136711600815552320.499999999998
Native load–displacement0.07337799710857062498.9999999999986
Native load–displacement0.078619282616325642677.499999999998
Native load–displacement0.083860568124080692855.999999999998
Native load–displacement0.089101853631835753034.499999999998
Native load–displacement0.094343139139590763212.9999999999973
Native load–displacement0.099584424647345823391.4999999999977
Native load–displacement0.104825710155100873569.9999999999973
Native load–displacement0.110066995662855923748.4999999999973
Native load–displacement0.115308281170610953926.9999999999973
Native load–displacement0.120549566678366044105.499999999998
Native load–displacement0.125790852186121044283.999999999997
Native load–displacement0.131032137693876144462.499999999997
Native load–displacement0.13627342320163114640.999999999996
Native load–displacement0.141514708709386234819.499999999997
Native load–displacement0.14675599421714124997.999999999997
Native load–displacement0.151997279724896325176.499999999996
Native load–displacement0.157238565232651285354.999999999996
Native load–displacement0.16247985074040645533.499999999995
Native load–displacement0.167721136248161375711.999999999996
Native load–displacement0.172962421755916475890.499999999995
Native load–displacement0.17820370726367156068.999999999996
Native load–displacement0.183444992771426566247.499999999995
Native load–displacement0.188686278279181526425.9999999999945
Native load–displacement0.193927563786936686604.499999999996
Native load–displacement0.199168849294691646782.999999999995
Native load–displacement0.204410134802446776961.499999999995
Native load–displacement0.209651420310201737139.9999999999945
Native load–displacement0.214892705817956867318.4999999999945
Native load–displacement0.220133991325711857496.9999999999945
Native load–displacement0.225375276833466927675.499999999994
Native load–displacement0.23061656234122197853.9999999999945
Native load–displacement0.235857847848977048032.499999999996
Native load–displacement0.241099133356732088210.999999999996
Native load–displacement0.246340418864487138389.499999999993
Selected force
8,389 N
Nominal shear stress
83.89 MPa
Nominal shear strain
1.748 %
All recorded readouts
Selected force
8,389 N
Nominal shear stress
83.89 MPa
Nominal shear strain
1.748 %
Activation events in shown phase
0 count

Pre-activation CLT shear reduction. Fibre rotation and physical-test termination rules are excluded.

About this ASTM reference

Standard Test Method for In-Plane Shear Response of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials by Tensile Test of a ±45° Laminate

Active catalog edition checked October 10, 2026. The official standard defines the physical method; the CDS example below has a narrower modeling scope. Full procedures remain on ASTM’s site.

Find this setup in Workbench

Opens the connected guided study. Select the matching ASTM setup in the Test menu to inspect its fixture.

What this CDS case represents

Read the actual ASTM standard ↗

Pre-activation CLT shear reduction. Fibre rotation and physical-test termination rules are excluded.

Load & Play test behavior

The selected coupon model can calculate a progressive CLT history. Force and gauge extension follow the saved steps; ply colors indicate calculated activation modes. They are not spatial crack paths or a solved deformed shape. The website figures above retain only the phase named on their charts.

In Workbench, select the mechanical case and inspect Live Load. Play test opens the eligible Response → Failure calculation. Availability depends on compatible equipment, selected settings and licensed modules. Gauge/specimen displacement excludes frame compliance and grip slip. Playback speed changes viewing speed, not the test’s physical loading rate.

Instructional model comparison, not experimental validation or ASTM certification. Physical testing requires the licensed standard and a qualified test program.