Three-dimensional material test data for orthotropic laminae are difficult to obtain. Consequently, various simplifications are made for the material properties of individual layers in a finite element analysis, ranging from the assumption of transversely isotropic layers to applying two-dimensional material data in a three-dimensional analysis. In order to investigate the impact and validity of such simplifications, the sensitivity of the stresses and deformations in a finite element analysis on the material properties was investigated.
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