Abstract: Finite element model (FEM) of composite engine hood with carbon fiber was established. The bending stiffness, side bending stiffness and torsion stiffness of the hood were simulated under the conditions of the bending, side bending and torsion. The results from simulation and tests were compared to verify the validation of the FEM hood model. The influence of the composite lay-up on the stiffness of hood has been investigated, it is shown that the stack sequence[±45°] will lead to better stiffness. Orthogonal experiment and the finite element analysis have been combined in this paper, the role of the four engineering constants of laninar (E₁、E₂、ν₁₂ 、G) to the stiffness of hood have also been investigated. It has shown that in-plane shear modulus G₁₂ has large effect on the stiffness of the hood, while the poisson's ratio ν₁₂ has little influcence on the stiffness of the hood.

Key words: hood, ABAQUS, laminated plate, stiffness