Chapter 33: Beams: Composite Materials and Open Cross Sections

Beams: Composite Materials

33 and Open Cross Sections


Summary - Composite Beam 517

Introduction 518

Solution Requirements 518

FEM Solution 519

Modeling Tips 520

Input File(s) 521

Summary - VKI and VAM Beam Formulations 522

Introduction 523
 Solution Requirements 523

FEM Solution 524

Input File(s) 525
 CHAPTER 33 517
Beams: Composite Materials and Open Cross Sections

Summary - Composite Beam

Title Chapter 33: Composite Beam
Geometry Straight Cantilever Beam with load (Fy or Fz) applied at Free-End
Y, Ye
Fy

Fz

Z, Ze X, Xe
Element coordinate (Xe, Ye, Ze) coincides with Basic Coordinate (X,Y,Z)

Material properties • Linear elastic orthotropic material using MAT8

• Assumptions: E33 = 0.8E22; 13= 23= 12
• Theta on PCOMP/PCOMPG specifies the angle between X-axis of material coordinate
and X-axis of element coordinate.
Analysis type Linear static analysis
Boundary conditions Cantilever configuration
Applied loads Bending
Element type CBEAM3
FE results • Converted PBEAM3 from PBMSECT
• Stress recovery - screened based on max failure index
• bdf file for FE mesh of cross section shown here

X Y
518 MD Demonstration Problems
CHAPTER 33

Introduction
Composite materials have found increasing applications in many applications and slender structures like rotor blades
or high-aspect-ratio wings may be modeled in one-dimension as a 1-D beam provided the complex cross sectional
properties (ultimately represented as a 2-D finite element mesh) can be captured properly. Here, a new way for
composite beam analysis is introduced. The Variational Asymptotic Method (VAM) computes the properties of a
beam’s arbitrary cross section containing composite materials. VAM, the mathematical basis of VABS, splits a general
3-D nonlinear elasticity problem for a beam-like structure into a two-dimensional (2-D) linear cross-sectional analysis
and a 1-D nonlinear beam analysis. For details on VAM, refer to Yu, W., Volovoi, V., Hodges, D. and Hong, X.
“Validation of the Variational Asymptotic Beam Sectional Analysis (VABS)”, AIAA Journal, Vol. 40, No. 10, 2002
(available at http://www.ae.gatech.edu/people/dhodges/papers/AIAAJ2002.pdf). VAM’s key benefit lies in the ability
to model a beam made of composite material with only 1-D elements, namely CBEAM3.

Solution Requirements
In general, the solution requires the layup of composite material and the description of this general or arbitrary cross
section. PCOMP entries are used to provide the composite layup and PBMSECT entry is utilized to describe the profile
of cross section and the link to the composite layup via PCOMP. An example is shown as follows:

$
$ Composite case
PBMSECT 32 1 OP 0.015
OUTP=101,C=101,brp=103,c(1)=[201,pt=(15,34)]
pcomp 101 -0.1 5000. hill 0.0
501 0.05 0.0 501 0.05 90.0
501 0.05 -45.0 501 0.05 45.0
501 0.05 0.0
pcomp 201 5000. tsai 0.0 SYM
501 0.05 -45.0 501 0.05 45.0
501 0.05 0.0
$MAT1 501 3.6 .3
mat8,501,2.0e7,2.0e6,.35,1.0e6,1.0e6,1.0e6,0.0,+
+,0.0,0.0,0.0,2.3e5, 1.95e5, 13000., 32000., 12000.

The theta field on PCOMP is utilized to specify the angle between the X-axis of the material coordinate and the X-axis
of the element coordinate. A cutout of the FEM mesh at the intersect of OUTP=101 and BRP=103 illustrates the ply
layup shown in Figure 33-1.
 CHAPTER 33 519
Beams: Composite Materials and Open Cross Sections

PCOMP 201 -45, 45, 0, 0, 45, -45

X Y P
0 C
45 O
-45 M
P
90 1
P 0 0
C 0
O 45 1
M -45
P
90
1
0 0
1
Figure 33-1 Intersection of Ply Layups 101 and 201

FEM Solution
The converted PBEAM3 for PBMSECT,32 is as follows:

*** USER INFORMATION MESSAGE 4379 (IFP9B)

THE USER SUPPLIED PBMSECT BULK DATA ENTRIES ARE REPLACED BY THE FOLLOWING PBEAM3 ENTRIES.
CONVERSION METHOD FOR PBARL/PBEAML - .
PBEAM3 32 0 4.7202E+00 8.3059E+01 2.9578E+01 -1.5664E+01 3.2316E+01 0.0000E+00
1.8014E+01 4.2136E+00 1.7100E+01 -2.7858E+00 3.8881E+00 -3.5404E+00 4.7202E+00 2.6994E+00
0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00
0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00
0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00
0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00
1.2253E+08 -2.1160E+05 8.1193E+04 -2.4761E+06 -3.7193E+06 7.9049E+06 -2.1160E+05 2.1792E+06
-1.7859E+06 1.9780E+07 5,4643E+05 -3.5845E+05 8.1193E+04 -1.7859E+06 2.7228E+07 1.7190E+07
2.9835E+04 2.1407E+06 -2.4761E+06 1.9780E+07 1.7190E+07 2.2332E+08 5.8182E+06 -1.2186E+06
-3.7193E+06 5.4643E+05 2.9835E+04 5.8182E+06 2.1349E+09 -4.0706E+08 8.9040E+06 -3.5845E+05
2.1407E+06 -1.2186E+06 -4.0706E+08 7.5602E+08

Note that the MID field of above PBEAM3 has value of 0 which is a flag for using the Timoshenko 6 x 6 matrix stored
from the seventh line of PBEAM3. Timoshenko 6 x 6 matrix includes cross sectional and material properties. The
cross-sectional shape and the FE mesh is shown in Figure 33-2. The coordinate shown in the figure matches with
element coordinate.
520 MD Demonstration Problems
CHAPTER 33

X Y

Figure 33-2 Cross-sectional Shape and the Corresponding FE Mesh

Full cross sectional stress recovery can be performed with PARAM,ARBMSS,YES in bulk data and FORCE=setid in
case control. The stresses screened based on maximum failure index is shown as follows:

1 VAB ALGORITHM USING CORE OF PBMSECT MARCH 6, 2007 MD NASTRAN 3/ 6/07 PAGE 14
TRANSVERSE TIP LOAD
0 SUBCASE 1

S T R E S S E S I N L A Y E R E D C O M P O S I T E E L E M E N T S ( BEAM3 )

ELEMENT GRID PLY D I R E C T S T R E S S E S FAILURE MAXIMUM STRENGTH

ID ID ID NORMAL-1 NORMAL-2 NORMAL-3 SHEAR-12 SHEAR-23 SHEAR-13 THEORY FAIL. INDEX RATIO
FLAG
2 302 2 2.468E+01 1.601E+01 2.670E+00 2.323E+01 4.991E-01 3.724E+00 TSIA-WU 7.161E-04 4.035E+02
102 2 1.685E+01 1.619E+01 -7.230E-01 1.993E+01 -1.377E-01 -5.572E-01 TSAI-WU 7.258E-04 4.470E+02
1301 2 1.588E+01 1.594E+01 -7.167E-01 1.938e+-1 -1.162e-01 -5.280e-01 TSAI-WU 7.193E-04 4.569E+02

Modeling Tips
CBEAM3 is considered a straight beam if PID points to PBMSECT ID. The third point is ignored during the formation
of element matrices. During data recovery, the stresses for the third point are computed based on the forces recovered
which may not be correct.
PARAM,ARBMSTYP,TIMOSHEN must be present to access VAM for composite beam.
 CHAPTER 33 521
Beams: Composite Materials and Open Cross Sections

Input File(s)
File Description
Vabcore1.dat Composite beam with MAT1.
522 MD Demonstration Problems
CHAPTER 33

Summary - VKI and VAM Beam Formulations

Title Chapter 33: VKI and VAM Beam Formulations
Geometry
Straight Cantilever Beam with load (Fy or Fz) applied at Free-End
Y, Ye
Fy 0.04
Z

X Y 0.5

Fz 1.0

Z, Ze X, Xe
Element coordinate (Xe, Ye, Ze) coincides with Basic Coordinate (X,Y,Z)

Material properties Linear elastic isotropic material

Analysis type Linear static analysis
Boundary conditions Cantilever configuration
Applied loads Bending load with forces applied at free end
Element type CBEAM, CBEAM3
FE results • Converted PBEAM/PBEAM3 from PBMSECT
• bdf file for FE mesh of cross section
• Stress recovery - screened based on max failure index

X Y

Results Isotropic with VKI Isotropic with Composite with

VAM MAT1 using VAM

Disp at free end 49.987 49.974 49.977

Smax at fixed end 74974 74956 75351

 CHAPTER 33 523
Beams: Composite Materials and Open Cross Sections

Introduction
In MD Nastran, there are two formulations to compute sectional properties. Both formulations use the finite element
method. The first one is named after its third party vender, VKI, which solves a series of equations (see documentation
of PBMSECT in Quick Look Guide) to obtain sectional properties. The other formulation is Variational Asymptotic
Method (VAM), see attached for details on VAM Theory. While VKI formulation is for isotropic material only, VAM
is capable to compute beam sectional properties for isotropic and composite material.

Solution Requirements
PBMSECT bulk data entry is utilized to describe the shape of I section and PARAM,ARBMSTYP is used to control the
selection of formulation. Note that default value for PARAM,ARBMSTYP select VKI formulation to compute sectional
properties of arbitrary cross section with isotropic material. However, PARAM,ARBMSTYP,TIMISHEN must be present
in the bulk data section if PBMSECT entry with Core and/or Layer keywords exists in the file.

$ to select VAM
PARAM,ARBMSTYPE,TIMOSHEN
.
$.......2.......3.......4.......5.......6.......7.......8.......9.......10.....
$ Section profile
$
$ 1 -- 2 -- 3
|
|
$ 4 -- 5 -- 5
$
point 1 -0.50 0.23
point 2 0.00 0.23
point 3 0.50 0.23
point 4 -0.50 -0.23
point 5 0.00 -0.23
point 6 0.50 -0.23
$
$.......2.......3.......4.......5.......6.......7.......8.......9.......10.....
SET1 101 1 2 5 6
SET1 201 2 3
SET1 102 5 4
$
$ Ply properties
$.......2.......3.......4.......5.......6.......7.......8.......9.......10.....
$MAT8 501 20.59e6 1.42e6 0.42 0.89e6 0.89e6 0.89e6
$MAT1 501 1.+7 .3
$
$ isotropic case using T keyword
PBMSECT 31 1 OP +
OUTP=101,t=0.04,BRP(1)=201,BRP(3)=102
$
$ isotropic case using C and MAT1
PBMSECT 32 OP +
OUTP=101,CORE=301,CORE(1)=[101,PT=(1,2)],CORE(2)=[202,PT=(5,6)],+
BRP(1)=201,CORE(3)=[201,PT=(2,3)], +
BRP(3)=102,CORE(3)=[102,PT=(5,4)]
524 MD Demonstration Problems
CHAPTER 33

FEM Solution
The converted BEAM for PBMSECT,31 from VKI is as follows:

*** USER INFORMATION MESSAGE 4379 (IFP9A)

THE USER SUPPLIED PBEAML/PBMSECT BULK DATA ENTRIES ARE REPLACED BY THE FOLLOWING PBEAM ENTRIES.
CONVERSION METHOD FOR PBARL/PBEAML - FINITE ELEMENT METHOD.
PBEAM3 31 1 9.6800E-02 4.4896E-03 6.6689E-03 -8.0299E-19 5.2448E-05 0.0000E+00
2.5000E-01 5.0000E-01 2.5000E-01 -5.0000E-01 -2.5000E-01 -5.0000E-01 -2.5000E-01 5.0000E-01
1.5197E-01 6.9769E-01 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 3.6170E-04 3.6170E-04
0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 4.1043E-11 7.5134E-10 4.1043E-11 7.5134E-10

The converted BEAM/PBEAM3 for PBMSECT,31 and 32 from VAM is as follows:

*** USER INFORMATION MESSAGE 4379 (IFP9A)

THE USER SUPPLIED PBEAML/PBMSECT BULK DATA ENTRIES ARE REPLACED BY THE FOLLOWING PBEAM ENTRIES.
CONVERSION METHOD FOR PBARL/PBEAML - FINITE ELEMENT METHOD.
PBEAM3 31 1 9.6800E-02 4.4902E-03 6.6696E-03 0.0000E+00 5.5566E-05 0.0000E+00
2.5000E-01 5.0000E-01 2.5000E-01 -5.0000E-01 -2.5000E-01 -5.0000E-01 -2.5000E-01 5.0000E-01
1.5346E-01 7.0201E-01 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 3.5121E-04 3.4121E-04
0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00
*** USER INFORMATION MESSAGE 4379 (IFP9B)
THE USER SUPPLIED PBMSECT BULK DATA ENTRIES ARE REPLACED BY THE FOLLOWING PBEAM3 ENTRIES.
CONVERSION METHOD FOR PBARL/PBEAML - .
PBEAM3 32 0 9.6800E-02 4.4902E-03 6.6696E-03 0.0000E+00 5.5566E-05 0.0000E+00
2.5000E-01 5.0000E-01 2.5000E-01 -5.0000E-01 -2.5000E-01 -5.0000E-01 -2.5000E-01 5.0000E-01
0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00
0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00
0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00
0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00
9.6800E+05 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 2.6041E+05
-5.9944E-04 1.5708E-04 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 -5.9944E-04 5.6910E+04 -7.1497E-05
0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 4.4898E+04 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00
0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 6.6693E+04

Note that the MID field of above PBEAM3 has value of 0 which is a flag for using the Timoshenko 6 x 6 matrix stored
from the seventh line of PBEAM3. Timoshenko 6 x 6 matrix includes cross-sectional and material properties. The
cross-sectional shape and the FE mesh is shown in Figure 33-3.

X Y

Figure 33-3 Cross sectional Shape and the Corresponding FE Mesh

 CHAPTER 33 525
Beams: Composite Materials and Open Cross Sections

Regular beam stresses at extreme point from different formulation is shown in following table.

Composite with
Results Isotropic with VKI Isotropic with VAM MAT1 using VAM
Disp at free end 49.987 49.974 49.977
Smax at fixed end 74974 74956 75351

Input File(s)
File Description
nug_33a.dat Isotropic and Composite beam with MAT1 using VAM
nug_33b.dat Isotropic beam using VKI