PyDPF Composites

PyDPF Composites enables the post-processing of composite structures based on Ansys DPF and the DPF Composites plugin. It implements classes on top of DPF Composites operators and data accessors for short fiber and layered composites (layered shell and solid elements). This module can be used to postprocess fiber reinforced plastics and layered composites, and to implement custom failure criteria and computation.

Getting started

Contains installation instructions and a simple example to create a failure plot from a Workbench project.

Getting started

Examples

Demonstrates the use of PyDPF Composites for various workflows.

Examples

API reference

Describes the public Python classes, methods, and functions.

API reference

Contribute

Provides developer installation and usage information.

Contribute

The minimum set of inputs to run a postprocessing for composites is the result files of an MAPDL solution and a material file (MATML) which was generated by Engineering Data. Lay-up files from ACP are optional and only required for some advanced operations. Refer to Limitations.

Key features

Here are some key features of PyDPF Composites:

• Postprocessing of layered shell and solid elements. MAPDL models as well as models preprocessed with ACP are supported.

• Failure criteria evaluation as shown in Composite failure analysis.

• A SamplingPoint class for extracting and visualizing a result over the entire thickness of a laminate as shown in Sampling point.

• A ResultDefinition class for configuring combined failure criteria and scopes.

• Accessors for getting layered properties such as plies and materials as shown in Layered properties and Material properties and custom failure criterion.

• Interface to implement custom failure criteria and analysis as shown in Material properties and custom failure criterion.

• Postprocessing of homogeneous elements.

Limitations

• Only the Mechanical APDL solver is supported.

• The post-processing of expanded cyclic symmetry models is not implemented.

• The following operators and features are only supported if the model was preprocessed with ACP and if the corresponding lay-up definition file is passed to the CompositeModel class.

  • The evaluation of the failure criteria for sandwich (FaceSheetWrinklingCriterion, ShearCrimpingCriterion) for solid elements. Layered shell elements are always supported.

  • The computation of interlaminar normal stresses (s3) for layered shell elements. Without ACP layup definitions, s3 is always zero. This also affects 3D failure criteria which use s3, such as Puck 3D. This limitation does not affect (layered) solid elements.

  • The support of variable materials and material fields. Without ACP, only the temperature is considered for the evaluation of variable material properties.

  • Global plies, and scoping by plies. Layer-wise post-processing is always supported.

  • Plotting results on the reference surface of a laminate.

Note: MAPDL models that have not been preprocessed with ACP can be converted. For more information, see Import of Legacy Mechanical APDL Composite Models in the Ansys Help.