Plyomeetria

Plyomeetria is a term used to describe the systematic measurement and analysis of layered structures, particularly composite laminates. The word combines ply, a conventional term for an individual layer in a laminate, with metria, meaning measurement. In practice, plyomeetria refers to approaches that quantify ply thickness, orientation, stiffness, and other properties at the ply level and relate these properties to the macroscopic performance of a laminate or sandwich structure.

Methods and tools in plyomeetria include non-destructive testing techniques such as ultrasonic thickness gauging, X-ray computed tomography, and infrared thermography; optical microscopy and micro-CT for ply-scale imaging; and mechanical tests to determine ply properties. Data gathered at the ply level are used in laminate theory and numerical models, including Classical Laminate Theory and finite element analysis, to predict stiffness, strength, buckling, and failure modes. Ply-level property characterization supports material selection, process optimization, and quality control during manufacturing.

In practice, plyomeetria overlaps with materials metrology, structural health monitoring, and quality assurance in industries that rely on composite materials, such as aerospace, automotive, wind energy, and civil engineering. The term is not universally standardized; in many contexts, similar activities are described under materials characterization, laminate analysis, or ply-property metrology. See also composite materials, laminate theory, non-destructive testing, metrology, and finite element analysis.