Compare properties
Select one or more materials, laminas, laminates, simulations or optimization snapshots and review scrollable tables, bar charts, Ashby plots, line plots, property maps, and laminate stiffness matrices.
Capabilities / 02.7
Turn model output into
repeatable engineering results.
CDS solves the handoff from analysis to decision by linking comparisons, fields, tables, parametric studies, and open exports across the complete composite model chain.
A linked carpet plot and laminate stack make the selected design visible alongside its properties.
Workbench capture · September 6, 2026. Representative interface and demo data, not a new solver run or validation certificate. Control locations may differ in later releases.Stored ply properties bypass Micro. Mixed stacks keep both paths. Gray blocks are not selected. Geometry, process schedules and other model records are omitted here for clarity; a real run must include all required references.
Fatigue uses intact CLT endpoint stresses and measured S–N calibration. It is evaluated separately from Run and progressive failure. The dashed handoff is not active: optimization still uses current properties until a degradation law is supplied.
Materials → Micro → Laminate.
02.7 / How CDS solves it
From engineering question to validation dataExplore field response
Move result cursors through time and thickness to update linked thermal plots, or select stress, strain, displacement, resultant, and factor-of-safety views for a structural case.
Export the validation data
Right-click supported tables to save CSV or XLSX data and presentation-oriented PPTX output where available, or write supported material cards for downstream finite-element analysis.
Workbench availability: released models, inputs and compatible study paths. The wider theory library includes reference formulations not available in every Workbench solve.
Released models, connections and theory
Materials & micromechanics
Design a ply or reinforced feedstock
- Constituents & architecture
- Homogenization
- Ply properties
Explore 1 family · 9 model choices
Micromechanics · 9
Models browser → Micromechanics · source: Micro
InputsConstituents, architecture, fractions and calibrated modifiersResults / handoffReference ply properties for each linked laminate ply
- Halpin–Tsai
- Rule of mixtures
- Modified rule of mixtures
- Chamis
- Mori–Tanaka
- Hashin–Rosen
- Self-consistent scheme
- Woven fabric bridging
- Cox shear-lag elastic
One compatible homogenization model per Micro recipe. Use separate recipes for comparisons; they are not combined in a single ply.
Heat, moisture & manufacturing
Cure, pultrusion, conditioning and tool release
- Material laws & boundary cycles
- Transport & reaction
- History & compatible process fields
Explore 4 families · 14 model choices
Cure, crystallization & material transport · 8
Models → material-model folders · assigned through Materials
InputsCalibrated kinetics, modulus or transport laws and material assignmentResults / handoffMaterial laws consumed by compatible Micro or transport calculations
- Kamal–Sourour autocatalytic
- Kamal–Sourour with diffusion control
- Nth-order Arrhenius
- CHILE (degree of cure)
- UV intensity-dependent cure
- Nakamura–Avrami
- Temperature-dependent tabular
- 1D Fickian diffusion
Independent model records can be linked together through material inputs. A saved model must be assigned to a material before it contributes to a simulation.
Thermal transport · 3
Models browser → Thermal transport · source: CASES / Thermal
InputsLaminate transport properties, initial state and the thermal case’s own surface cycleResults / handoffTemperature and supported polymer-state histories; mapped fields only when coupling is enabled
- 1D transient heat transfer
- 1D steady-state heat transfer
- 1D pultrusion thermal cure
One transport formulation per thermal case. Select its laminate and configure its own initial conditions and surface cycle; pultrusion additionally requires a distance-based die schedule and pulling velocity.
Moisture transport · 2
Models browser → Moisture transport · source: CASES / Moisture
InputsLaminate diffusion properties, initial moisture and its own boundary scheduleResults / handoffMoisture history and enabled swelling contribution
- 1D transient moisture diffusion
- 1D steady-state moisture diffusion
One formulation per moisture analysis. Thermal and moisture analyses can both be linked in Simulation; each needs its own boundary conditions.
Tool-release shape · 1
Structural models → Tool-release shape
InputsLaminate and prescribed temperatures, CTE and effective post-gel shrinkageResults / handoffFree-release CLT curvature and separate corner spring-in estimate; not an automatic process-history handoff
- Free-release eigenstrain & spring-in
Free CLT release from prescribed ply-local shrinkage/thermal eigenstrains. Corner spring-in is a separate uniform-strain estimate. Stress-free temperature and effective post-gel shrinkage need calibration. No tool friction, cure kinetics or viscoelastic restraint history.
Structural mechanics
Size plates, beams, shells, sandwich panels and joints
- Laminate & geometry
- Load response / stability
- Displacements, stresses & modes
Explore 7 families · 17 model choices
Plate · CLT & FSDT · 6
Structural models → Laminate mechanics · CLT / FSDT
InputsLaminate stiffness, finite plate dimensions, supported edges and study choiceResults / handoffFSDT static bending or selected buckling / modal results; not progressive damage
- CLT
- FSDT
- Static bending
- Modal
- Buckling
- Buckling and modal
Choose a formulation and study. Buckling and modal can be requested together; static bending requires FSDT. These are reference-elastic studies, separate from coupled process or progressive failure.
Cylinder · 2
Structural models → Cylinder models
InputsLaminate, cylinder dimensions and formulation-compatible pressure / axial loadingResults / handoffThin-wall membrane response or layerwise radial fields, with distinct assumptions
- Linear thin-wall membrane
- Layerwise thick-wall elasticity
Choose one cylinder formulation per case record. Geometry and plies remain shared; thick-wall radial results exclude torsion and process strains.
Membrane, bending & beam buckling · 3
Structural models → Laminate mechanics → Membrane, bending & beam
InputsLaminate, compatible section and static or Euler load caseResults / handoffMembrane / bending response or separate Euler buckling result
- Linear static
- Linear static with failure indices
- Beam Euler buckling
Geometry and the case determine the membrane or beam-test interpretation. Euler buckling requires a compatible beam section and a separate reference-elastic study; it is not a strength or local-buckling pass.
Layerwise sections, joints & delamination · 3
Structural models → Layerwise sections & joints
InputsSection or lap geometry, laminate, loads and calibrated interface propertiesResults / handoffx–z fields; coupled ply damage and delamination only for the supported layerwise plate path
- Layerwise x-z plane strain
- Single-lap x-z plane strain
- Coupled delamination growth
Coupled delamination is available only for the layerwise Plate section and needs calibrated interface and ply properties. Lap-shear uses its separate joint geometry and perfectly bonded elastic formulation.
Sandwich bending · 1
Structural models → Sandwich bending
InputsFaces, core, dimensions and three-point-bend loadResults / handoffDeflection and separate face, core and nominal bond-shear screening
- Sandwich three-point bend
Dedicated sandwich screening. Check core, faces and nominal bond shear separately; peel, mixed-mode debonding and crack growth are not assessed.
Analytical bonded joint · 1
Structural models → Layerwise sections & joints → Analytical bonded joint
InputsIdentical equivalent-elastic adherends, adhesive, overlap, width and tensile forceResults / handoffVolkersen shear and Goland–Reissner shear / peel; no debond growth
- Volkersen & Goland–Reissner joint
Identical equivalent-elastic adherends, long free arms and a thin elastic adhesive. Compare shear-only Volkersen with eccentric single-lap shear and peel. Not a debonding, plasticity or strength calculation.
Cylinder buckling · 1
Structural models → Cylinder models → Cylinder buckling
InputsThin specially orthotropic shell, radius, length, axial compression and prescribed knockdownResults / handoffIdeal / knocked-down Donnell axial buckling and governing mode; no pressure or postbuckling
- Donnell cylinder · axial buckling
Simply supported, thin, specially orthotropic cylinder under uniform axial compression. Discrete Donnell modes; prescribed knockdown factor explores imperfection sensitivity, not a prediction from measured imperfection amplitude. No pressure, torsion, postbuckling or strength pass.
Failure, durability & variability
Assess strength, service life and sensitivity
- Ply response & calibration
- Selected assessment
- Indices, envelopes & life estimates
Explore 7 families · 15 model choices
Failure & envelope comparison · 5
Structural models → Laminate mechanics → Failure criteria
InputsEligible CLT load case, strengths / strain limits and selected criterionResults / handoffFirst-ply envelopes or supported progressive ply-damage histories; criteria are not blended
- Maximum stress
- Maximum strain
- Tsai–Hill
- Tsai–Wu
- Hashin
One primary failure criterion per load. In Response → Failure, compare all eligible theories or a custom selection in the envelope controls. Each theory runs independently; criteria are not blended.
Fatigue S–N · 5
Structural models → Laminate mechanics → Fatigue
InputsIntact ply stresses, cyclic loads and measured S–N calibrationResults / handoffSeparate life assessment; no automatic laminate degradation
- Kim–Zhang
- Sendeckyj
- Weibull S–N
- Kohout–Vechet
- Basquin
Select calibrated S–N curves for each material, direction and stress sign in Fatigue. Different sources can use different models. S–N life does not define residual stiffness or strength.
Open-hole strength · 1
Structural models → Laminate mechanics → Failure criteria → Open-hole strength
InputsSpecially orthotropic laminate, hole radius, unnotched strength and calibrated distancesResults / handoffPoint / average stress strength screening and radial stress profile
- Whitney–Nuismer open-hole tension
Infinite-width, specially orthotropic tension screening. Point and average stress distances must be calibrated independently for this laminate. Not compression, bearing or a joint allowable.
Creep & stress relaxation · 1
Structural models → Laminate mechanics → Creep & stress relaxation
InputsLaminate Ex, Prony fractions / times and held stress or strain at calibration temperatureResults / handoffSeparate axial creep and relaxation curves with time-refinement safeguards
- Generalized Maxwell · axial Prony
Linear uniaxial response at the calibration temperature. Reference Ex is the instantaneous modulus. Three Maxwell branches; creep is solved from stress equilibrium, not the reciprocal relaxation modulus. No thermal shifting or nonlinear creep.
LaRC04 failure initiation · 1
Structural models → Laminate mechanics → Failure criteria → LaRC04
InputsLaminate, membrane / bending resultants and calibrated effective ply strengthsResults / handoffLinear-shear LaRC04 initiation indices at ply faces; no progressive degradation
- LaRC04 · linear shear
NASA LaRC04 linear-shear specialization, evaluated at both faces of every ply under membrane and bending loads. Supplied ply strengths are effective/in-situ values; no automatic thin-ply enhancement. Initiation only, not degradation or nonlinear-shear instability.
Fatigue residual properties · 1
Structural models → Laminate mechanics → Fatigue → Residual properties
InputsModulus, independently fitted stiffness / strength retention laws, life and elapsed cyclesResults / handoffResidual-property curves for the specified constant-amplitude calibration; saved laminate is unchanged
- Calibrated residual-property fatigue
Prescribed power-law retention fitted to constant-amplitude tests at a fixed stress ratio, amplitude and temperature. Stiffness and strength have independent coefficients. S–N life alone cannot calibrate either. Does not modify the saved laminate.
Uncertainty & sensitivity · 1
Structural models → Uncertainty & sensitivity
InputsLaminate, bounded modulus / thickness / angle variations, seed and axial loadResults / handoffABD axial-strain percentiles and signed correlations; not certified reliability
- Seeded laminate uncertainty
Seeded independent uniform sampling of shared modulus, ply-thickness and angle offsets. Recomputes laminate ABD for each sample. Bounds are assumptions, not measured distributions. Percentiles and sensitivity are exploratory, not reliability certification.
Virtual test lab
Explore specimen behavior and calibration
- Specimen & material inputs
- Virtual test
- Response & comparison
Explore 10 families · 10 model choices
D6641 · Compression coupon · 1
Models → Structural models → ASTM · Virtual Test Lab
InputsLinked laminate and explicit specimen, load or measured calibration inputsResults / handoffUniform small-strain compression using linked laminate Ex and thickness. Measured compressive strength supplies a screening ratio; fixture, tabs, buckling and failure evolution are not simulated.
- Virtual test · compression coupon
Uniform small-strain compression using linked laminate Ex and thickness. Measured compressive strength supplies a screening ratio; fixture, tabs, buckling and failure evolution are not simulated.
D5379 / D7078 · Shear coupon · 1
Models → Structural models → ASTM · Virtual Test Lab
InputsLinked laminate and explicit specimen, load or measured calibration inputsResults / handoffUniform nominal shear between notches using linked laminate Gxy and thickness. Not a notch/fixture stress field or nonlinear shear solution. Gauge length is the effective shear deformation length, not crosshead travel.
- Virtual test · nominal shear coupon
Uniform nominal shear between notches using linked laminate Gxy and thickness. Not a notch/fixture stress field or nonlinear shear solution. Gauge length is the effective shear deformation length, not crosshead travel.
D5528 · DCB opening · 1
Models → Structural models → ASTM · Virtual Test Lab
InputsLinked laminate and explicit specimen, load or measured calibration inputsResults / handoffIdeal Euler–Bernoulli DCB with equal homogeneous 0° arms, each half the linked laminate thickness. No root rotation, shear, large displacement or cohesive growth. Critical load is an initiation estimate from supplied GIc.
- Virtual test · DCB beam compliance
Ideal Euler–Bernoulli DCB with equal homogeneous 0° arms, each half the linked laminate thickness. No root rotation, shear, large displacement or cohesive growth. Critical load is an initiation estimate from supplied GIc.
D7905 · ENF sliding · 1
Models → Structural models → ASTM · Virtual Test Lab
InputsLinked laminate and explicit specimen, load or measured calibration inputsResults / handoffIdeal equal-arm, homogeneous 0° ENF beam; support span is twice the half-span. Crack must be shorter than the half-span. No shear/root correction or unstable crack growth. GIIc is supplied, not fitted automatically.
- Virtual test · ENF beam compliance
Ideal equal-arm, homogeneous 0° ENF beam; support span is twice the half-span. Crack must be shorter than the half-span. No shear/root correction or unstable crack growth. GIIc is supplied, not fitted automatically.
D6671 · Mixed-mode fracture envelope · 1
Models → Structural models → ASTM · Virtual Test Lab
InputsLinked laminate and explicit specimen, load or measured calibration inputsResults / handoffBenzeggagh–Kenane envelope from calibrated GIc, GIIc and exponent. Supplied GI/GII are energy-release rates from a separate test reduction or analysis. This does not resolve the MMB lever fixture or propagate a crack.
- Virtual test · BK mixed-mode envelope
Benzeggagh–Kenane envelope from calibrated GIc, GIIc and exponent. Supplied GI/GII are energy-release rates from a separate test reduction or analysis. This does not resolve the MMB lever fixture or propagate a crack.
D5229 · Moisture uptake calibration · 1
Models → Structural models → ASTM · Virtual Test Lab
InputsLinked laminate and explicit specimen, load or measured calibration inputsResults / handoffHomogeneous slab, initially dry, both faces held at equilibrium moisture. Fits diffusivity from two early uptake measurements (both ≤50% saturation) using the square-root-time approximation. Edge ingress and temperature dependence are excluded. Does not overwrite material properties.
- Virtual test · Fickian uptake calibration
Homogeneous slab, initially dry, both faces held at equilibrium moisture. Fits diffusivity from two early uptake measurements (both ≤50% saturation) using the square-root-time approximation. Edge ingress and temperature dependence are excluded. Does not overwrite material properties.
D5961 · Bearing / bypass screening · 1
Models → Structural models → ASTM · Virtual Test Lab
InputsLinked laminate and explicit specimen, load or measured calibration inputsResults / handoffSingle-pin nominal bearing, net-section and shear-out checks with independent measured allowables. Bypass tension is added to net-section load only. No contact, bolt preload, load redistribution or validated bearing–bypass interaction envelope.
- Virtual test · bearing bypass screening
Single-pin nominal bearing, net-section and shear-out checks with independent measured allowables. Bypass tension is added to net-section load only. No contact, bolt preload, load redistribution or validated bearing–bypass interaction envelope.
D6484 · Open-hole compression · 1
Models → Structural models → ASTM · Virtual Test Lab
InputsLinked laminate and explicit specimen, load or measured calibration inputsResults / handoffNominal gross/net stress and demand relative to measured open-hole compressive strength for this geometry and layup. This is test-data screening, not an uncalibrated notch-strength prediction. No local buckling or kink-band simulation.
- Virtual test · measured open-hole compression
Nominal gross/net stress and demand relative to measured open-hole compressive strength for this geometry and layup. This is test-data screening, not an uncalibrated notch-strength prediction. No local buckling or kink-band simulation.
D6742 · Filled-hole comparison · 1
Models → Structural models → ASTM · Virtual Test Lab
InputsLinked laminate and explicit specimen, load or measured calibration inputsResults / handoffCompares user-measured open- and filled-hole compressive strengths using gross-section stress. Use matched layup, hole, environment and fastener condition. Filling a hole does not automatically recover strength; no fastener contact/preload model is applied.
- Virtual test · measured filled-hole comparison
Compares user-measured open- and filled-hole compressive strengths using gross-section stress. Use matched layup, hole, environment and fastener condition. Filling a hole does not automatically recover strength; no fastener contact/preload model is applied.
D7136 / D7137 · Impact & CAI assessment · 1
Models → Structural models → ASTM · Virtual Test Lab
InputsLinked laminate and explicit specimen, load or measured calibration inputsResults / handoffIncident energy from measured impact velocity; residual compressive strength from measured peak CAI force. Rebound energy estimates energy not returned to the striker, NOT damage energy. No impact/contact solver, damage-area prediction or energy-to-strength extrapolation.
- Virtual test · measured impact and CAI
Incident energy from measured impact velocity; residual compressive strength from measured peak CAI force. Rebound energy estimates energy not returned to the striker, NOT damage energy. No impact/contact solver, damage-area prediction or energy-to-strength extrapolation.
Electromagnetics & RF
Design dielectric mixtures, shielding and periodic layers
- Electrical properties & layers
- Effective medium / wave propagation
- Permittivity & RF response
Explore 13 families · 13 model choices
Wiener series and parallel · 1
Models → Electromagnetics · RF → Wiener series and parallel
InputsExplicit host/inclusion electrical properties and fractionsResults / handoffEffective permittivity; manual handoff to an RF layer, not an automatic mechanical-property update
- EM · Wiener series and parallel
Positive lossless dielectric bounds; complex directional estimates.
Looyenga / Landau–Lifshitz–Looyenga · 1
Models → Electromagnetics · RF → Looyenga / Landau–Lifshitz–Looyenga
InputsExplicit host/inclusion electrical properties and fractionsResults / handoffEffective permittivity; manual handoff to an RF layer, not an automatic mechanical-property update
- EM · Looyenga / Landau–Lifshitz–Looyenga
One cube-root mixing law, not two independent models.
Maxwell–Garnett · 1
Models → Electromagnetics · RF → Maxwell–Garnett
InputsExplicit host/inclusion electrical properties and fractionsResults / handoffEffective permittivity; manual handoff to an RF layer, not an automatic mechanical-property update
- EM · Maxwell–Garnett
Dilute subwavelength spherical inclusions in a host.
Normal-incidence laminate TMM · 1
Models → Electromagnetics · RF → Normal-incidence laminate TMM
InputsExplicit dielectric A/B layers, thicknesses, repetition, frequency and supported polarizationResults / handoffReflection, transmission, absorption and shielding spectra; no mechanical coupling
- EM · Normal-incidence laminate TMM
Coherent isotropic nonmagnetic layers between air half-spaces.
Bruggeman symmetric EMT · 1
Models → Electromagnetics · RF → Bruggeman symmetric EMT
InputsExplicit host/inclusion electrical properties and fractionsResults / handoffEffective permittivity; manual handoff to an RF layer, not an automatic mechanical-property update
- EM · Bruggeman symmetric EMT
Two positive-permittivity phases; no explicit contact network.
EM Mori–Tanaka · 1
Models → Electromagnetics · RF → EM Mori–Tanaka
InputsExplicit host/inclusion electrical properties and fractionsResults / handoffEffective permittivity; manual handoff to an RF layer, not an automatic mechanical-property update
- EM · EM Mori–Tanaka
Scalar principal-axis ellipsoidal field approximation.
EM self-consistent · 1
Models → Electromagnetics · RF → EM self-consistent
InputsExplicit host/inclusion electrical properties and fractionsResults / handoffEffective permittivity; manual handoff to an RF layer, not an automatic mechanical-property update
- EM · EM self-consistent
Scalar principal-axis self-consistency; spherical case equals Bruggeman.
Differential effective medium · 1
Models → Electromagnetics · RF → Differential effective medium
InputsExplicit host/inclusion electrical properties and fractionsResults / handoffEffective permittivity; manual handoff to an RF layer, not an automatic mechanical-property update
- EM · Differential effective medium
Incremental mixing with time-step refinement check.
Coated sphere and interphase · 1
Models → Electromagnetics · RF → Coated sphere and interphase
InputsExplicit host/inclusion electrical properties and fractionsResults / handoffEffective permittivity; manual handoff to an RF layer, not an automatic mechanical-property update
- EM · Coated sphere and interphase
Concentric subwavelength coated spheres; no dynamic Mie scattering.
Generalized multiphase EMT · 1
Models → Electromagnetics · RF → Generalized multiphase EMT
InputsExplicit host/inclusion electrical properties and fractionsResults / handoffEffective permittivity; manual handoff to an RF layer, not an automatic mechanical-property update
- EM · Generalized multiphase EMT
Spherical multiphase Bruggeman with convergence checks.
Oblique polarized laminate TMM · 1
Models → Electromagnetics · RF → Oblique polarized laminate TMM
InputsExplicit dielectric A/B layers, thicknesses, repetition, frequency and supported polarizationResults / handoffReflection, transmission, absorption and shielding spectra; no mechanical coupling
- EM · Oblique polarized laminate TMM
TE or TM waves; scalar isotropic layers, no polarization conversion.
1D transmission line matrix · 1
Models → Electromagnetics · RF → 1D transmission line matrix
InputsExplicit dielectric A/B layers, thicknesses, repetition, frequency and supported polarizationResults / handoffReflected and transmitted pulse histories and spectra; mesh and energy checks
- EM · 1D transmission line matrix
Normal-incidence lossless delay-line mesh with pulse decay, energy and mesh-refinement safeguards. Explicit Run required; not a 3D solver.
1D Floquet–Bloch periodic layers · 1
Models → Electromagnetics · RF → 1D Floquet–Bloch periodic layers
InputsExplicit dielectric A/B layers, thicknesses, repetition, frequency and supported polarizationResults / handoffPeriodic-cell eigenvalues, folded Bloch phase and stop-band decay
- EM · 1D Floquet–Bloch periodic layers
Lossless isotropic A/B unit-cell eigenvalues, folded Bloch phase and stop-band attenuation at normal incidence. Not arbitrary-cell homogenization.
Outcomes and boundaries
- Results update from the active tree selection
- Charts and tables provide complementary views of the same solution
- Mechanical, thermal, moisture, and total response can be reviewed separately
Delivered capability
Methods available in CDSBar charts compare up to three properties; Ashby views compare any two
Linear and logarithmic scales are available for property comparison
Legend hover highlights its plotted records when practical
3D views provide fill, opacity, extrema and autoscale controls
Thermal cursors link time-history and through-thickness plots
Right-click supported tables to export CSV, XLSX or PPTX validation data