Cracking composite challenges in Formula SAE using Digimat (2025)

Designing with continuous fiber reinforced composites offers unmatched strength-to-weight advantages but also comes with challenges that Formula SAE teams frequently encounter. Key hurdles include obtaining accurate material properties at the fibre, resin, and ply level; optimising layups for desired performance; and accounting for variability introduced during manufacturing. Additional complexities arise when studying the impact of defects and determining appropriate knock-down factors for strength reduction. Finally, bridging material data to reliable part-level simulations remains a critical step for predicting stiffness, strength, and failure. In this webinar, we will explore how Digimat provides efficient solutions to these challenges, helping Formula SAE teams accelerate composite design, improve accuracy, and build confidence in their parts.

0:00 Greeting

1:25 Overview of Digimat for Formula SAE

6:24 1. Accurate material information

18:14 2. Layup optimization and coupon tests

23:36 3. Capture variability

27:44 4. Study the effect of defects

42:00 Key Takeaways

44:13 Live Demo

54:25 Accessing Software

55:59 Q&A
Resources:
Digimat manual: https://nexus.hexagon.com/documentati...

Digimat course: https://nexus.hexagon.com/academy-pub...

Webinar series homepage. Resources shown in the webinar can be downloaded here: https://simcompanion.hexagon.com/cust...

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