Hello,

I have a couple of questions regarding the modeling of a composite laminate as a continuum shell.

I am trying to model a composite laminate that includes multiple taper regions. In one region, the thickness of the laminate tapers from 36-plies-thick to 18-plies thick.

My first question: If i model the 3D shape and assign a composite layup to said shape, will the layup in the taper regions maintain all of the plies - or will the plies towards the top or bottom slowly taper to nothing (as is the actual case)? As of now, I have been operating under the assumption that all plies will exist in all regions, and the relative thickness of the plies will simply change in each region.

My section question: Operating under the above assumption, I have resigned to the method of sectioning my laminate from a side perspective - essentially cutting the thickness of my specimen into 36 cells, and assigning a single ply to each cell. This seems to me to be the best approach, as this allows me to maintain the tapering of plies from their full thickness to nothing in those tapered regions. But, I am fairly new to Abaqus and modeling of composite structures, so i do not know if this is the best approach yet or not, and am looking for any guidance as to whether or not this is a good approach for my situation. 

Any words of wisdom that anyone could provide would be greatly appreciated!

Ryan