An optimization method for composite structures with ply-drops. (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fan, Hai-Tao; Wang, Hai; Chen, Xiu-Hua
• Is Part Of: Composite structures. Volume 136(2016)
• Page Start: 650
• Page End: 661
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: Ply-drops -- Optimization -- Composite structures -- Genetic algorithm -- Continuity; Composite construction -- Periodicals; Composites -- Périodiques; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2015.11.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-8223

Abstract

Abstract: A genetic algorithm-based method is proposed to optimize the global stacking sequence of composite structures with ply-drops. To avoid the design space exploration problems in existing optimization methods, the prerequisites for the continuity between laminated composites are firstly studied and the continuity rules are summarized. To implement these rules in the evolutionary optimization, two newly constructed chromosomes are developed to encode the global stacking sequence with no additional chromosomal repair. Genetic operators, including mutation, swapping and crossover operators, are also developed to explore the design space sufficiently and meanwhile follow the continuity rules. A typical multi-laminate-panel structure is optimized to verify the proposed method. It is found that compared with existing methods, solutions with lower weights have been obtained with an acceptable efficiency in both symmetry and symmetry-balance constraint cases. The results reveal that with the proposed optimization method, the weight of composite structures could be further reduced.