Summary

Simulation Composite Analysis was used to predict progressive fiber and matrix failure caused by a displacement controlled load.

Five procedures specific to Simulation Composite Analysis were used:

1. Composite Material Manager was used to characterize the material using experimental lamina properties (Characterize a User Material with Composite Material Manager).
2. The Create Composite Material plug-in was used to define the material within Abaqus/CAE (Create a User Material with the Create Composite Material Plug-in).
3. Solution controls were defined to allow for robust solution convergence (Create an Analysis Step).
4. State variable (SDV) output to the database file (.odb) was requested (Define Field Output Requests).
5. The xStiff utility was used to calculate and insert extraneous stiffness parameters (Extraneous Stiffness Parameters).

After the analysis was completed, Abaqus Viewer was used to plot fiber and matrix failure in individual plies. An envelope contour plot was used to view the maximum damage state in the 24-ply laminate and a load-displacement plot was generated.