Mesh the Part

Create the mesh for the part geometry.

In meshing the composite plate, we will use a global seed size of 1.0 to ensure the mesh is fine enough to capture the effect of delamination, but coarse enough to allow for a moderate solution time.

1. Click Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > Size Cntrls > Manual Size > Lines > Picked Lines
2. Use the Graphics window to select the 4 edges of the beam parallel to the global Z-axis.
3. In the dialog that appears, specify 2 in the NDIV box and click OK.
4. Click Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > Mesh Tool.
5. In the dialog that appears, click the Set button next to the Global option under the Size Controls, enter 1.0 in the SIZE entry box, and click OK.
6. Select the Hex and Mapped radio buttons and click the Mesh button.
7. Select the beam from the Graphics Window and click OK. The part is now meshed and should be similar to the mesh shown below.