Layup offset

Layup offset allows you to offset the laminate with respect to its reference plane. You can define a layup offset in cases when the default middle setting is not appropriate. You can define a layup offset separately for each face, so that each reference plane corresponds to the layup on that surface.

You define a layup offset in the Simulation Navigator with the commands available under the Layup Offset node. The Layup Offset node appears when you create a layup.

The following figure shows the difference between setting the layup offset reference plane to middle (default), and setting it to bottom.

In the figure, (A) is the reference plane, (B) is the top of the top ply, and (C) is the bottom of the bottom ply:

Layup offset reference plane location = Middle	Layup offset reference plane location = Bottom

The solver defines symmetry with respect to the reference plane. If the ply layup is symmetric, but the reference plane is offset from the laminate mid plane, the laminate is not truly symmetric.

Offsetting the laminate mid plane from the reference plane is not the same as specifying an element offset: Element offsets are defined in the pre-processor and are offsets, in the element normal direction, between the element’s nodes and the reference plane. It is possible to specify an element offset, and at the same time offset the layup mid plane from the reference plane.

For non-symmetric laminates, membrane loads result in additional moments.

For ANSYS and Abaqus solutions, the software always exports the layup offset at the mid plane of the laminate.

Where do I find it?

Define a layup offset rule.

Application	Pre/Post
Simulation Navigator	Right-click the Top, Middle, or Bottom nodes → Edit

Define a custom layup offset rule.

Application	Pre/Post
Simulation Navigator	Right-click the Layup Offset node → Create User Defined Layup Offset Rule

How do I

Define a custom layup offset

Define a layup offset

Learn more

Ply-based workflow

Defining plies and a stacking sequence

Quick links

Command reference

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Layup offset, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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