looking for inputs on dragonplate and how to define ply orientation of certain structural components

[glulambeam]

Hi, so one of the designers at my company has decided to go cutting-edge and create a structure using COTS carbon fiber structural members from dragonplate.com

In particular, there are shapes like this one:

https://dragonplate.com/075-Square-Tube-Carbon-Fiber-Gusset-90-Tee

I am not well-versed in composites, but I do know enough to set-up a basic laminate if unidirectional fibers are involved with the NX software package.

However, I need some help, as I don't what a (Woven 0/90 and ±45) entails. Can define it as a [0/90/45/-45]s (in other words, it's 8 plies, and each ply is equal to the (overall thickness/8)?
Or is it something else and I need more info from the manufacturer? I've read that a fabric is easier to use but is weaker b/c of the over and under, out of plane travel of the weaving process.

I suspect that they've dumbed down the properties such that the fabric/"braid" is treated in a similar manner to a regular unidirectional fiber per the technical specs for the dragonplate tubing (see attachment in this post), but it hasn't been confirmed (I e-mailed them almost 3 weeks ago and haven't heard from them since).

 

[Compositepro]

On the technical spec of square tubing they say the tube lay-up is an outer and inner braid (+/-45) with a zero ply in between. With a braid the fiber angles are approximate. These type of structures are not intended to be used in high strength applications. They are good where you need something light and stiff. Tubing made from unidirectional would have higher performance but would not be as damage tolerant. I don't think that doing theoretical calculations on this will be very productive. Measure the actual bending stiffness and use that, if you must.

 

[glulambeam]

Thanks. I was able to get some help at work with this.