1.

3 Ply Conventions
In the case of fiber-matrix unidirectional composite plies, the material coordinate
system 1-axis defines the fiber direction, the material coordinate system 2-axis
defines the transverse matrix direction, and the material coordinate system 3-axis
defines the through-thickness direction of a ply. The fiber orientation of a ply,
theta, is defined relative to the global system x-axis using right-hand rule to
define positive theta as shown in figure 1.6.