Micross is a multi-scale tool for the modeling of bending and in plane shear tests of sandwich panels. It is a complete, simple, accurate and flexible software tool.

Micross takes into account the effect of the microstructure for both the core and the skins of the sandwich:

• For the honeycomb core, the homogenized properties are computed by Micross based on the geometry of the unit cell of the honeycomb.

• For the skins the same choice is available. A skin is made of several layers piled up in a given order, with given orientations and thickness. Each layer can be defined at the macro or micro level. In this last case, Digimat-MF is used to compute the macroscopic stiffness properties of the layer based on the description of its microstructure.

• Used for sandwich panels made of :

            - Symmetric or anti-symmetric pile up
            - Honeycomb or foam core

• Compute honeycomb properties using micromechanical model based on cell geometry and bulk material properties


• Define skin layers and compute their material properties from the matrix and fiber material properties, fiber content and orientation


• Loadings :
  

            - 3 and 4 point bending or in-plane shear tests
            - Customized positions and amplitudes for loading points and fixations

•   Define the level of mesh refinement which is required:          

            - Coarse
            - Average
            - Fine

• Automatic generation and solve of the FEA model using a built-in FEA solver


• Integrated post-processing including 3D and through thickness views of stress, strain and failure indicators


• Automatic html report generator 




• Micross is an accurate tool to predict honeycomb core sandwich panels properties with respect to geometry, density, angles, … and obtain the required mechanical properties time and costs efficiently. Jean-Pierre Botman, Project Leader Process & Engineering, Euro-Composites