Program SYMM

Solutions for symmetric generally-orthotropic laminates subjected to type S4 simple supports are implemented in this program. These solutions are discussed in Chapter 12.

Program SYMM should be downloaded and saved to a convenient folder location on your computer. Once the program is initiated it will ask whether you wish to read several input values “FROM A FILE? (Y/N)” If you enter a “Y” (or “y”, meaning “yes”) the program will search for a file containing the needed information. If the file is not found you will be directed to enter the values from the keyboard.

The results of the analysis are printed on the screen. In all cases the out-of-plane displacements are assumed to follow the double sine series given by Eq. 12.5 of Chapter 12. The values of the coefficients c_ij are determined as a part of the solution process. These coefficients are stored in various files; the filename depends on the analysis type selected by the user. Once these files are created the out-of-plane displacement fields created by the specified transverse load (or the normalized buckling mode, in the case of a buckling analysis) may be plotted using a third-party software package such as MAPLE™ or Mathematica™. For example, the file “Plot.txt” can be downloaded and used with MAPLE™ to obtain such a plot.

All files created during execution of the program are stored in the folder that contains program SYMM.

Warning: The user must input all values using a consistent system of units. For example, using the SI system of units a typical value of Young’s modulus might be 200 GPa = 200 x 10⁹ N/m², a typical ply thickness might be 0.125 mm, and a thermal expansion coefficient might be -1.0 x 10^-6 m/m-°C. These values should be input as 200.0E9, 0.000125, and -1.0E-6, respectively.