Feasible region of lamination parameters for optimization of variable angle tow (VAT) composite plates

Zhangming Wu, Gangadharan Raju, Paul M. Weaver

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

In structural optimization of laminated composites, the complexity of some design prob- lems can be significantly reduced by introducing lamination parameters as design variables. The value of each lamination parameter is not truly independent and instead are interlinked by a particular lamination (lay-up). Although the feasible region of 12 lamination param- eters has already been shown to be convex, the explicit relations between the parameters are generally unknown. In the design of variable angle tow (VAT) composite laminates, the lamination parameters vary as a function of x; y coordinates. The value of each lamination parameter continuously varies in a smooth manner and their constraints should be satisfied at all points. Consequently, accurate bounds for the feasible region of lamination parame- ters are necessary to describe the design constraints in the optimization of VAT laminates. This paper presents a set of explicit closed-form expressions to define the feasible region of two in-plane and two out-of-plane lamination parameters, which can be applied to the design of orthotropic VAT laminates. A preliminary buckling optimization of a square orthotropic VAT panel is presented using lamination parameters that are represented by a polynomial series. The distribution of lamination parameters are pointwise constrained by the closed-form nonlinear inequalities. The optimum results demonstrate the applicability of the presented expressions for lamination parameters in the design of VAT panels. Fi- nally, corresponding fibre angles distributions are generated from the optimal lamination parameters using a genetic algorithm (GA).

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication54th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference
Publication statusPublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes
Event54th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference - Boston, MA, United States
Duration: 8 Apr 201311 Apr 2013

Publication series

NameCollection of Technical Papers - AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference
ISSN (Print)0273-4508

Conference

Conference54th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBoston, MA
Period8/04/1311/04/13

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