How to create a Composite FEM via Hypermesh

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Composite.Tips

Hypermesh Tutorial

How-to create a Composite FEM via Hypermesh

Composite.tips, All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2016

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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 ifdesired; 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

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Import a CAD Part


Once the file is uploaded, Select Import buttonThe 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 Geometrywith Surface edges Icon

Create a Material Collector


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 downbox shown below. A series of names and correspondinginput boxes appear in the Card Image drop down boxshown 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

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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 fromthe assorted selectionsthat appear

Note: To edit material:

Now, select the yellow box showing the MAT8 selection

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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

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Create PCOMP Card


Select Create, Property then in the cardimage drop down box, then select PCOMP

Right click in white space

A message appears asking you if youwant to proceed, select yes.

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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

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Create PCOMP Card (Cont.)


Select Material, then check the composite_materialoption 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

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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 availableto the user; however, discussion of these options isbeyond the scope of this tutorial.

Tip: Press F12

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Assign PCOMP Properties to Mesh


Right click on property and select Assign

Select Elements from the lower menu, then select thendisplayed button and then proceed button (not shown)

Lower Menu

All elements are selected after displayed button is depressed

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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 fromBy 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

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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

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Review Ply Directions


45-Degree Direction

0-Degree Direction

Select ply directions located below material orientation option. Next, select Zone Based Model optionand 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.

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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!

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Rate this TutorialThat’s it. You now have the basic skillset needed to create a composite part in Hypermesh for use in FEA.

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Author: Norm Lamar


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How to create a Composite FEM via Hypermesh