Key Features

• Graphical user interface. Provides, for instance, efficient tools for the specification and modification of laminate lay-ups and structural elements.



• ESAComp objects, multilevel database and Data Bank. Work with ESAComp is based on objects: fibers/matrix materials, plies, laminates, plates, beams, bonded/mechanical joints, and loads. A set of related objects, called a case, can be stored in the database. The database is divided into three levels: the user and company levels, and the ESAComp Data Bank, which includes data for commonly used composite materials and material systems.



• Analysis capabilities. See the detailed list.



• Multiple analyses and graphic result displays. The user has almost limitless options for selecting and combining result data. For instance, several objects, laminate orientations, or failure criteria can be selected for analysis. Results can be displayed as numeric tables, layer, bar, line, and polar charts, carpet plots, or failure envelopes.



• Design capabilities. The user specifies a design target by setting constraints and objectives for various design attributes. Based on the multiobjective design approach, the laminate creation tool evaluates feasibility and mutual quality of candidate laminates, whereas the laminate creation tool creates feasible and efficient laminates from candidate plies.



• FE export/import interfaces. Laminate lay-ups specified in ESAComp can be exported to FE software, along with the related material properties. After the FE analysis, results can be imported to ESAComp for detailed post processing.



• User extensions. There are three basic approaches for adding user extensions in ESAComp. Additional failure criteria and micromechanical models can be defined by using the CLIPS language. New analyses can be added as user-written C language modules. ESAComp analysis tools can also be used in other software applications by running ESAComp in batch mode.



• Comprehensive documentation. ESAComp provides on-line help for user/design guidance, as well as theoretical background documents.