Design optimisation procedure for fibre metal laminates based on fatigue crack initiation. (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Şen, I.; Alderliesten, R.C.; Benedictus, R.
• Is Part Of: Composite structures. Volume 120(2015)
• Page Start: 275
• Page End: 284
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: Fatigue crack initiation -- Fibre metal laminates -- Optimisation -- Design -- Lay-up -- Genetic algorithm; Composite construction -- Periodicals; Composites -- Périodiques; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2014.10.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-8223

Abstract

Abstract: A design optimisation procedure for fibre metal laminates based on fatigue crack initiation is presented. The state-of-the-art design method is a solution-oriented analysis, where only selected lay-ups are assessed for satisfying the design criteria. This study aims to develop a reversed design procedure where the lay-ups are obtained as design solutions. Therefore, a genetic algorithm procedure is developed to find the optimal lay-up satisfying the required fatigue life. The accuracy of the prediction method for crack initiation depends on the selected S–N curve of the constituent metal, which is observed to influence the obtained design solutions. Additionally, it was observed that the settings of genetic algorithm need to be tuned to obtain a robust optimisation methodology. In conclusion, with the presented methodology appropriate design solutions were obtained that satisfy the minimum fatigue life.