Shapes Defined by Geometry

Plies defined by geometry.

Plies can be defined by geometry. Options include:
  • Lines – closed loop of lines which specify the boundary of the ply.
  • Surfaces – list of surfaces which make up ply.
  • Solids – list of solids which make up ply. Typically used only for core materials where edges are ramped.

When a mesh is available, ply shapes defined by geometry are converted to shapes defined by element sets by performing a realization on the ply. To perform a ply realization:

  1. In the Model Browser, right-click on a ply.
  2. Select Ply Realization from the context menu.
    The Ply Realization dialog displays.
  3. Set options according to the table below.
    Option Action
    Realization Region Region to which ply should be realized. Options include:
    • Component(s) that contain elements
    • Elements
    Projection options Determines the method of projection to elements. Use Project normal to target mesh except in cases where FiberSim, CATIA Composites Link, Kinematic drape or Pamformh5 data has been imported.
    • Project normal to target mesh for CPD/Geom data
    • FiberSim drape map by proximity method
    • CATIA Composites Link drape map by proximity method
    • Pamformh5 map by proximity method
    • Kinematic draping map by proximity method
    Search criterion Determines how elements on the boundary of geometry are selected. Options include:
    • Element centroid – if centroid is within ply geometry, element used in ply
    • All element nodes inside – if all element nodes within ply geometry, element used in ply
    • Shrinkage factor of border element edges - if the fraction of the element area is intersected by the ply boundary, element used in ply
    Tolerance Tolerance on distance between geometry ply and elements that have been selected in realization region. If distance is larger than tolerance, elements are not added to ply.
    Input sample point Should only be used if ply realization fails or is incorrect. Used as an aid to determine which elements reside within ply boundary, particularly for curved surfaces. If input sample point is used, plies should be realized one at a time.