How to create a Composite FEM via Hypermesh

Composite.Tips
Hypermesh Tutorial
How-to create a Composite FEM via Hypermesh
1Composite.tips, All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2016

BACKGROUND
You will learn how to develop a composite part in Hypermesh.
Specifically, how to assign an orthotropic material properties and a
material direction; define a normal direction, and view the laminate’s
material and ply orientations.
Tutorial assumes you have a basic working knowledge of Hypermesh.
Not intended for first-time users of Hypermesh.
Part is defined using arbitrary CAD system. This tutorial imports from
CAD a .stp file.
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Import a CAD Part
This tutorial uses a 10 in. x 10 in. simple surface; saving the part as a .sat extension. User can create a different part if
desired; however must be 2-D geometry to exploit tutorial content.
Launch Hypermesh and Import your CAD file by selecting the Import Geometry Icon
Import Geometry Icon
Select File Type as Auto Detect;
then find and select your file

Import a CAD Part
Once the file is uploaded, Select Import button
The part may appear in wireframe mode. To shade
simply select the Shade Geometry with Surface edges Icon
to turn part from wireframe to shaded surface. See
image below.
Shade Geometry
with Surface edges Icon

Create a Material Collector
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Activate the Model tab; then, right
mouse click in white area and select
Create then Material
Create a MAT8 Card Image by selecting the drop down
box shown below. A series of names and corresponding
input boxes appear in the Card Image drop down box
shown below. After selecting MAT8 a dialog box appears,
select yes to accept the change.
MAT8 is defined as the linear orthotropic material properties that
are assigned to the two-dimensional elements
The format for the Hypermesh MAT8 Card

Review MAT8 Properties
Now, populate the required material
card values similar to the card
image shown below.
Note: Hypothetical material values shown
for pedagogical purposes only
Select Card Image Icon
Select Mats button from
the assorted selections
that appear
Note: To edit material:
Now, select the yellow box showing the MAT8 selection

Review MAT8 Properties (cont.)
Then, select the check box showing name of material; then choose the select button. Now,
select the edit button and the material property values appear. Edit the materials
accordingly, when finished select Return to exit.
Tip: You can edit the values from here

Create PCOMP Card
Select Create, Property then in the card
image drop down box, then select PCOMP
Right click in white space
A message appears asking you if you
want to proceed, select yes.

Create PCOMP Card (Cont.)
Select Laminate Definition Icon;
a dialog box appears
Set mid-surface offset definition = 0.0
Set symmetry condition
Set number of plies 2

Create PCOMP Card (Cont.)
Select Material, then check the composite_material
option shown in the material dialog box; then,
select the OK button. Repeat for the second layer.
Add a thickness and an orientation per layer.
Material dialog box
The completed laminate definition is
show below. Select Close.
Completed Laminate Definition

Create Mesh
Go to top bar menu and select Mesh, Create and look for 2D Automesh-select.
Select the surface and set element size to 1.0. then, select mesh type as quads only.
To execute meshing operation select mesh button. Select return twice to exit mesher.
Completed Mesh
Note: There are many other meshing options available
to the user; however, discussion of these options is
beyond the scope of this tutorial.
Tip: Press F12

Assign PCOMP Properties to Mesh
Right click on property and select Assign
Select Elements from the lower menu, then select then
displayed button and then proceed button (not shown)
Lower Menu
All elements are selected after
displayed button is depressed

Verify Assigned Property
Notice the assigned colors for each line item. You can change them if you prefer.
Go to lower menu and change the assigned property from
By Comp to By Prop. Your part should change from blue to
yellow indicating that property1 is assigned to the elements
By Comp By Prop
Lower Menu

Assign Material Direction
Select the 2D option; then, select Composites button
Select material orientation option. Select elements then the displayed
buttons. Make sure by system id is selected then select system and
the global coordinate system shown on the screen. Select Assign
(not shown here) to apply direction. Arrows will appear
indicating the direction of the material. See figure on right.
Fabric Warp is assigned in the x-direction indicated
by white arrows at centroids of each element
Default Coordinate SystemNote: a different coordinate system can be assigned

Review Ply Directions
45-Degree Direction
0-Degree Direction
Select ply directions located below material orientation option. Next, select Zone Based Model option
and the ply number of interest. Select all the elements. If arrow size equal to zero change to 1.0.
Select Review to view orientation of a ply.

Composite Element Normal
Select a reference Element
Select the element normals button; then, select comps button and adjust the size of the
normal vectors to read 1.0. Now, establish a reference element by selecting a single element.
Then, select the display normals button and the normal vectors will appear. That’s it!

Rate this Tutorial
That’s it. You now have the basic skillset needed to create a
composite part in Hypermesh for use in FEA.
Thank you for visiting composite.tips
Was this tutorial helpful? Pease leave a comment regarding you
experiences with this tutorial on composite.tips.
Your opinion matters – Thanks!
Author: Norm Lamar

How to create a Composite FEM via Hypermesh

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