Hi everyone!
In my case, I don´t usually use Abaqus/CAE for pre-processing my models. I use Hypermesh to generate the mesh, then I create the input file and I type the necessary commands I need. When I create the composite section by typing *SHELL SECTION, COMPOSITES I have to inuput the thickness, number of integration points, material and orientation, according to the example below.
*SHELL SECTION, ELSET = UMBILICAL, COMPOSITE, ORIENTATION = LOCAL
6.0, 3, HDPE, 0.0
4.5, 3, STEEL, -23.8
4.5, 3, STEEL, 21.8
5.2, 3, HDPE, 0.0
In this case, I created the mesh on the midsurface of the CAD model and I used S4 elements. Is this the best geometry to work with? If not, what would be the best surface (upper, lower or mid) to work with? Additionally, how does Abaqus deal with composite layers? Does it consider that all layers are towards the element normal vector, oppositely or half of the layers are upper and half lower?
Thank you in advance!