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need to explain a little bit more about how ANSYS/FEA testing works as it pertains to a composite structure
I (noah) can fill in this section but we need to essentially explain the features of pre-ACP and post-ACP on ANSYS, how they reflect the IRL sandwich panels in a simulation setting, and how we plan on using it to prove to ASC that our panels actually pass regs
KETIV Technologies Video: Intro to Composite Analysis Using Ansys Mechanical [Devansh]
Vocabulary
Ply - a bunch of fibers put together with some kind of adhesive.
Laminate - stack of plies.
How to model? (9:40)
Shell Method
Use a shell element (planar element)
Define material for each layer, and define stiffness for each layer. Ansys will then supposedly “automatically” recognize this and will make it so that you can simulate it.
There are two other methods - solid shell and layered solid - but I don’t really understand what the guy in the video is saying.
What data do you need? (11:23)
Orthotropic material properties, Ply thickness and orientation, stacking sequence, the orthotropic strengths, and failure theory/theories.
Mentions that Tsai-Wu failure criteria is apparently a pretty popular one for composites (may want to look into this more):
Example from video:
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I don’t really understand this, so I found a quick explanation online by SolidWorks that’s more understandable: https://help.solidworks.com/2021/English/SolidWorks/cworks/r_tsaiwu_failure_criterion.htm
After identifying composite material, you can pretty much do whatever you want with it.
Delamination Analysis:
Two things you can do with ansys:
CZM (Cohesive Zone Modeling) - Calculates energy needed to pry/shear apart a composite panel structure (I think this would be useful for sandwich panels). Guy in video does not go too much in-depth on this but I found a pretty good pdf over it online (will take notes later on it).
VCCT (Virtual Crack Closure Technique) - Another method to see how composite panels can delaminate.
Found two things over this:
Basic Overview of how to Simulate a Panel: (17:40)
Insert a “Layered Section”
Specify what Geometry layered section applies to
Define a coordinate system (pretty much tell ansys what a “zero degree” orientation looks like)
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Define layers - select worksheet option, and define each layer
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Demonstration: (19:50)
Research Results and Findings
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