Material orientation in composites material analysis

[cpinz]

Hi
I'm working with composites material and I would like to know how are related the Material Orientation and Plies angle in composites analysis with Mechanica. What's the difference between them ? Thanks

 

[PhV]

Material orientation is a function of the global coordinate system (surface normals of intrinsic CAD surfaces)

Ply angle is the reference orientation itself and this reference changes with material orientations

 

[microplus]

Hi,

Any advice on thermal analysis of laminate. I'd like to view temperature variation at each layer when heat load applied to top surface. Applying material orientation only gives me 2D.
Thanks.