What is SUBLAM?
SUBLAM is a unique analysis tool specifically designed for examining interlaminar stress and failure in composite laminates. It is based on a stacked high-order plates acting as sublaminates. Within a sublaminate the full stacking sequence information is used to determine local stiffness, including the distribution of material within the sublaminate. At the interfaces between sublaminates, highly accurate continuous distributions of interlaminar tractions can be computed. For many models, the resulting differential equations for the plates are solved using exact, closed-form methods. The code is particularly useful for determining the strain-energy-release-rate (SERR) for interfacial cracks. The code uses finite element concepts for maximum flexibility, including the ability to constrain or load individual nodal lines. However, many SUBLAM models consist of just a handful of elements. SUBLAM is a two-dimensional analysis, with full generalized plane-strain assumptions, including the ability to specify strains and total forces in the third dimension. SUBLAM incorporates a unique boundary element analysis feature that allows the user to simply declare a closed-loop of elements as a filled region. The code automatically incorporates a boundary element model of the filler region without any further modeling effort. SUBLAM has been a primary tool in the design and analysis of composite joints, fracture test articles, and bonded joints.Elements
- Flat plate (closed-form and P-element formulation)
- Cylindrically curved (exact and P-element formulation)
- Tapered elements (P-element formulation)
- Boundary element method for filled regions
Analyses
- Linear analysis for deflection, integrated loads, and interlaminar stress
- Single-step assessment of multi-mode strain energy release rate (SERR) at a crack tip
- Approximate, extended P-method
- Linearly tapered elements
- Bonded joints with nonlinear adhesive properties
- Large deflection correction
License
A trial version of SUBLAM can be downloaded for free. The download package includes:
- SUBLAM integrated with the graphical user front-end
- A standalone executable version of the SUBLAM analysis kernel
- All of the program documentation
- User's Guide
- Verification example problems
- Theory
- Introduction to the front-end>
- Collection of example problems
The trial version is fully functional, and includes all documentation. The code can be executed 20 times. After that, just send in the order form along with your payment and signed license agreement to receive a software key that will permanently enable the codes
The license includes two years of free updates to any new or revised versions of the code
Download Trial Version
Current release 10.3.1
SUBLAM is currently only available for MS Windows. JAVA 5 or above must be installed for the front end to function.
To install, simply expand the zip file into a convenient location. The code is self-contained. Documentation files require Adobe reader
Price
License prices are for a single user, unlimited use. The software will be locked to the user's computer. Site licenses and multiuser discounts for more than 5 licenses are available. Contact MSC for more information. An order form and license agreement are included in the download.
| Commercial | $1800 |
| Academic | $1000 |
Complex joints
High-Order elements with continuous interfaces
3-element model to determine fracture growth
Evaluation of fracture tests
Boundary element method for non-plate regions
Bonded joint analyses with nonlinear adhesive properties
Full-function graphical front end
Parameterized common construction elements