To demonstrate the different element deletion criteria available for unidirectional composites, we will examine this large-notch coupon specimen. The coupon geometry and mesh have already been defined as shown below.
The geometry has been partitioned to help create a more uniform mesh. The mesh has 18 discrete layers through the thickness, one for each ply in the laminate. This discrete single layer (DSL) approach will allow us to delete elements from individual plies as the analysis progresses. The mesh is composed entirely of C3D8R elements.
We have already created element sets for each layer through the thickness. This will make it easier to define the orientations and examine results later in the tutorial.