Material Properties (Isotropic, 3D Transversely Isotropic, 3D Orthotropic)

Three different materials can be set up in MSC Apex Generative Design:

Isotropic Material

The properties of Isotropic material are uniformly in all directions. Therefore, only one Young's modulus, one Poisson’s ratio and the tensile stress limit is needed as well as the density value.

3D Transversely Isotropic Material

The properties of 3D Transversely Isotropic material are directional dependent. One direction (axial / build direction) differs from the two other in-plane directions. The z-axis is always the build direction, the y- and x-direction are the in-plane directions. As an input the Young's modulus for the build direction as well as for the in-plane directions (E2=E3) are needed. Furthermore, the Shear Modulus and the two Poisson’s ratios for in-plane and axial are desired. All further necessary values are calculated in the background.

For the material limits the Tension Strength in build direction (Axis) and for the in-plane directions as well as the transversal Shear Strength can be set up. With the Failure Criteria FFF Thumb Rule and directional dependent Tsai-Hill the different material limits can be considered.

Optionally, the Compression Strength can also be set. With the directional dependent Tsai-Wu Failure Criterion the difference between tension and compression can be considered besides the directional dependency.

Choose 3D Orthotropic to create a 3D Transversely Isotropic material and leave the values for the third axis (E3=x) empty.

3D Orthotropic Material

The properties of 3D Orthotropic material are directional dependent. For every main axis a different Young's modulus is needed as well as Shear Moduli for all planes and the Poisson’s ratios.

For the material limits the Tension Strength in build direction (Axis) and in-plane directions as well as the transversal Shear Strength can be set up. With the Failure Criteria FFF Thumb Rule and directional dependent Tsai-Hill the material limits differences can be considered.

Optionally, the Compression Strength can also be set. With the directional dependent Tsai-Wu Failure Criterion the difference between tension and compression can be considered besides the directional dependency.