Problem with stacking Solid46 elements through thck

[plvachon]

Hi to all,

I have a basic question concerning the use of layered elements in Ansys. I'm modeling a composite plate using Solid46 elements and I want to get the interlaminar stresses (in-plane and normal) between layers. I know I can stack several elements through the thickness to improve the results accuracy, but I'm not sure of the way to do it... I mean, when I define the element properties (number of layers N, thck., angle...), the subsequent laminate should have the right properties. But if I define, say, 4 elements through the thickness, do I get a laminate with "4 elements of N layers each"? I made some tryouts, and I don't get the same results as in the litterature... that's why I'm wondering what is wrong! By the way, what is the right way to stack several elements through thickness?

Hope that someone can help me! Thanks!

 

[Drej]

This isn't an element I've used before, but having read the help file I think you can use it as follows:

- if you have 20 layers you can define a single 46 element with 20 layers or
- if you want to improve the results you can define, for example, 5 elements through the thickness each having 4 layers each

Remember that this element is not recommended in tetrahedral form, so you need to ensure your mesh only has prism or hex elements.


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