Optimal design of antisymmetric laminated composite plates

An optimization procedure using a genetic algorithm (GA) is proposed to determine the optimal stacking sequence of laminated composite plates for the maximum buckling load under several different loadings, such as uniaxial compression, shear, biaxial compression, and the combination of shear and biaxial loadings. A series of optimal design is conducted for composite laminates having different aspect ratios, load conditions, and number of plies. Critical buckling load is taken as fitness function and fibre orientations are taken as design variables. A performance index is introduced to represent the effectiveness of optimal design with respect to worst case design. Then, for uniaxial compression loading, postbuckling behaviour is analysed numerically for the optimally designed composite plates as well as the worst case design composite plate. It shows the outstanding postbuckling performance of one of the optimally designed composite plates against the worst case design composite plate. Also, a GA finds the global solution without requiring auxiliary information such as derivatives of the objective function.

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Optimal design of laminated composite plates with dynamic and static considerations

Computers & Structures ◽

10.1016/0045-7949(89)90050-3 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

pp. 387-393 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

T.Y. Kam ◽

R.R. Chang

Keyword(s):

Optimal Design ◽

Laminated Composite ◽

Composite Plates ◽

Laminated Composite Plates

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Design of Laminated Composite Plates for Maximum Shear Buckling Loads

Journal of Energy Resources Technology ◽

10.1115/1.2906438 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 115 (4) ◽

pp. 314-322 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

R. R. Chang ◽

K. H. Chu ◽

T. Y. Kam

Keyword(s):

Optimal Design ◽

Optimization Technique ◽

Laminated Composite ◽

Composite Plates ◽

Global Maximum ◽

Laminated Composite Plates ◽

Buckling Loads ◽

Aspect Ratios ◽

Axial Forces ◽

Shear Buckling

The optimal lamination arrangements of laminated composite plates with maximum shear buckling loads are studied via a multi-start global optimization technique. A previously proposed shear deformable finite element is used to evaluate the positive and negative shear buckling loads of laminated composite plates in the optimal design process. Optimal lay-ups of thin as well as moderately thick composite plates with global maximum positive or negative shear buckling loads are determined utilizing the multi-start global optimal design technique. A number of examples of the optimal shear buckling design of symmetrically and antisymmetrically laminated composite plates with various material properties, length-to-thickness ratios, aspect ratios and different numbers of layer gorups are given to illustrate the trends of optimal layer orientations of the plates. Since the existence of in-plane axial forces is possible, the effects of axial compressive load on the optimal layer orientations for maximum shear buckling load are also investigated.

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