The large-notch coupon is built from a symmetric 18-ply layup [90/0/30/0/60/0/-60/0/-30]S. Before we can begin defining the orientations for the individual plies, we need to create a datum coordinate system from which we can base our orientations.
- Create a datum coordinate system () using the Datum CSYS - 3 points Method with 0, 0, 0 as the origin, 0, 1, 0 as the X-axis point, and -1, 0, 0 as the X-Y plane point.
- Define the material orientation for the first ply ().
- Use the Sets option to select the region to be assigned.
- Select Layer_1 from the list of available sets and click Continue.
- Select the Datum CSYS List option and choose the datum coordinate system created in Step 1. Click OK.
- In the Edit Material Orientation dialog, select Axis 3 then specify an Angle of 90 degrees and click OK. This will rotate the material 90 degrees about the z-axis of the coordinate system.
- Repeat steps 2-6 for the remaining layers, using the appropriate rotation about the z-axis.
- Layer_2: 0 degrees
- Layer_3: 30 degrees
- Layer_4: 0 degrees
- Layer_5: 60 degrees
- Layer_6: 0 degrees
- Layer_7: -60 degrees
- Layer_8: 0 degrees
- Layer_9: -30 degrees
- Layer_10: -30 degrees
- Layer_11: 0 degrees
- Layer_12: -60 degrees
- Layer_13: 0 degrees
- Layer_14: 60 degrees
- Layer_15: 0 degrees
- Layer_16: 30 degrees
- Layer_17: 0 degrees
- Layer_18: 90 degrees
It is good practice to visually verify the orientations of each layer.