Requesting output from a composite layup

When you create a composite layup that will be integrated during the analysis, you can specify the number of integration points in each ply of the layup. By default, for shell sections integrated during the analysis Abaqus/CAE creates three integration points for each ply of a shell or continuum shell composite layup and one integration point for each ply of a solid composite layup. For pre-integrated shell sections, Abaqus/CAE creates three integration points for each ply in the layup, and you cannot change this value. Figure 1 shows the integration point numbering for a composite layup with three plies and three integration points per ply.

Figure 1. The integration point numbering for a composite layup with three plies.

If you do not create an output request, Abaqus writes field output data from only the top and bottom of a composite layup (the highest and lowest integration points), and no data are generated from the other plies. Therefore, if your model contains a composite layup and you want data from individual plies or interior integration points, you must create a new output request or edit the default output request and specify the composite layup from which variables will be output.

When you create an output request, Abaqus/CAE by default writes field and history data to the output database from only the middle section point in each ply of a composite layup. To change the default behavior, you can use the field and history output request editors to edit the output request and change the domain to a composite layup. You can then request field or history data from the top, middle, and/or bottom section point of each ply, from all section points, or from specified section points. For more information, see Modifying field output requests, and Modifying history output requests. You can request the following:

Selected

Abaqus/CAE writes field data to the output database from the selected section points of each ply (top, middle, and/or bottom). If a ply has an even number of section points and you request output from the middle section point, Abaqus/CAE generates data from the higher of the two section points that span the middle of the ply. For example, if a ply has four section points and you request output from the middle section point, Abaqus/CAE generates data from the third section point.

All

Abaqus/CAE writes field data to the output database from all of the section points of all of the plies.

Specify

Abaqus/CAE writes field data to the output database from specified section points. Section points are numbered sequentially from the bottom of the bottom ply to the top of the top ply, where the bottom ply is the first ply in the layup. For example, if you want output from the middle section point of each ply shown in Figure 1, you would enter 2,5,8.

For more information, see Understanding output requests.