Introduction

The following is a guide for using Autodesk Helius PFA Material Manager, herein referred to as the Composite Material Manager.

Autodesk Helius PFA utilizes a form of multiscale material modeling based on Multicontinuum Theory (MCT). In contrast to traditional continuum mechanics, where physical quantities of interest are averaged over the entire heterogeneous microstructure of the composite material, MCT retains the identities of the distinct material constituents within the microstructure. This feature of Helius PFA requires material characterization that traditional finite element packages cannot currently provide. As a result, material properties must be provided to the tool in a specific format.

The Helius PFA package comes equipped with a material library that is pre-populated with multiple sets of composite lamina material properties, fully characterized for an analysis with Helius PFA. See Appendix C for a list of the materials included with the product. Also included with the Helius PFA package is Composite Material Manager, the subject of this document. Composite Material Manager provides a convenient graphical user interface for creating a material file. This file is referred to as a material data (or mdata) file and will have a .xml extension when saved. The .xml extension dictates that when an mdata file is opened, an internet browser will be used to view the contents by default, but a standard text editor can be used to open the mdata file as well. Please do not modify the mdata file; doing so may render your results incorrect. An mdata file is needed for each composite material in the job you wish to run with Helius PFA.

Composite Material Manager can also be executed from a command line using the Batch Mode functionality. In Batch Mode, Composite Material Manager reads a text file that you create instead of taking user input from the GUI. The text file contains keywords, parameters, and material data.

Helius PFA is able to execute progressive failure analyses on unidirectional, plain weave, 4 harness satin, 5 harness satin, and 8 harness satin microstructures. For more information see the Create a New Unidirectional mdata File and Create a New Woven mdata File sections.