COMSOL Multiphysics^® 6.2 Release Highlights

Composite Materials Module Updates

For users of the Composite Materials Module, COMSOL Multiphysics^® version 6.2 provides a Piezoresistivity, Layered Shell multiphysics interface, a Piezoelectric Material, Layered feature in the Shell interface, library parts for the homogenization of microstructures, and a new simulation application example. Learn about these updates and more below.

Piezoresistivity, Layered Shell Multiphysics Interface

A new Piezoresistivity, Layered Shell multiphysics interface is available to model piezoresistivity in multilayer structures. It can be combined with the Electric Currents in Layered Shell interface, the Layered Shell interface, and the new Piezoresistivity, Layered multiphysics coupling. Note that this feature requires the MEMS Module.

Piezoelectric Material, Layered Feature in Shell Interface

A Piezoelectric Material, Layered feature has been added to the Shell interface, which saves assembly and computation time when solving thin, piezoelectric composites. Note that this feature requires the AC/DC Module or the MEMS Module.

Library Parts for the Homogenization of Microstructures

In the Part Libraries, the existing Representative Volume Elements folder under the COMSOL Multiphysics branch has been renamed to Unit Cells and RVEs. This folder has also been updated to contain new microstructure geometries for corrugated sheets, honeycombs, and gyroids. You can see these new updates within the Homogenized Model of a Corrugated Sheet and Micromechanical Model of a TPMS-Based Composite example models.

New microstructure geometry parts from the Part Libraries.

Computation of Warpage

In some applications, such as PCBs, a planar surface must retain a sufficient degree of planarity in order for the structure to function correctly after loads have been applied. A new Warpage feature has been added to the Solid Mechanics, Shell, and Layered Shell interfaces to evaluate the deviation of a surface from its original shape.

Comparison between a distorted (colored layer) and a perfect (semitransparent gray layer) planar surface.

New Application and Updated Model

COMSOL Multiphysics^® version 6.2 brings a new demo simulation app and an updated example model to the Composite Materials Module.

Homogenized Material Properties of Periodic Microstructures*

An application showing the homogenized material properties of a bidirectional plain-weave fiber composite.

Application Library Title:
homogenization_of_periodic_microstructures
Download from the Application Gallery
*Requires the Structural Mechanics Module

Stacking Sequence Optimization

Comparison of the displacement of a composite with an original stacking sequence (wireframe) and an optimized stacking sequence (solid). Lower and uniform displacement in the optimized composite yields a lower failure index based on the Hashin criterion.

Application Library Title:
stacking_sequence_optimization
Download from the Application Gallery