SHD Sim FEA
Composite laminates
Layered shells and ply-by-ply failure criteria
code_aster
In development.
This module is phase 2 — the next module after cfd. The solver behind it is chosen and its capability is known. SHD Sim is available today.
What it is
A laminate is a stack of plies at different angles, and it is strong in the fibre direction and weak everywhere else. Layered shell elements carry the stack-up, so stress is resolved ply by ply and failure criteria are evaluated in each — because the laminate can fail in one ply while the others are barely loaded.
What this analysis needs from you
- Orthotropic material properties, which is far more data than an isotropic metal needs
- A stack-up: ply materials, thicknesses and angles in order
- A failure criterion — Tsai-Wu, Hashin or similar
Typical uses
- Aerospace and motorsport structures
- Wind turbine blades
- Pressure vessels with filament-wound walls
- Deciding a lay-up sequence rather than a wall thickness
Industries
Sectors where this analysis is routinely asked for.
- Aerospace
- Wind energy
- Marine
- Motorsport
What comes out
- Ply-by-ply stresses
- First-ply failure margins
- Interlaminar shear
- Layup comparison
Backend
code_aster
Chosen for this analysis type, with its capability verified against the module plan — not decided later.
Status
Phase 2 — the next module after CFD. Telling us you need this analysis moves it up the order — modules are sequenced by who is waiting for them.