Advances in Optimal Design with Composite Materials

Aeroelastic optimization has become an indispensable component in the evaluation of divergence and flutter characteristics for plated/shell structures. The present paper intends to review the fundamental trends and dominant approaches in the optimal design of engineering constructions. A special attention is focused on the formulation of objective functions/functional and the definition of physical (material) variables, particularly in view of composite materials understood in the broader sense as not only multilayered laminates but also as sandwich structures, nanocomposites, functionally graded materials, and materials with piezoelectric actuators/sensors. Moreover, various original aspects of optimization problems of composite structures are demonstrated, discussed, and reviewed in depth.

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Beetle forewings: Epitome of the optimal design for lightweight composite materials

Carbohydrate Polymers ◽

10.1016/j.carbpol.2012.08.061 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 91 (2) ◽

pp. 659-665 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

Jinxiang Chen ◽

Gang Wu

Keyword(s):

Composite Materials ◽

Optimal Design

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Weight optimal design of lateral wing upper covers made of composite materials

Engineering Optimization ◽

10.1080/0305215x.2015.1128422 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 48 (9) ◽

pp. 1618-1637 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Evgeny Barkanov ◽

Edgars Eglītis ◽

Filipe Almeida ◽

Mark C. Bowering ◽

Glenn Watson

Keyword(s):

Composite Materials ◽

Optimal Design ◽

Lateral Wing

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Sequential laminates in multiple-state optimal design problems

Mathematical Problems in Engineering ◽

10.1155/mpe/2006/68695 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 2006 ◽

pp. 1-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Nenad Antonic ◽

Marko Vrdoljak

Keyword(s):

Composite Materials ◽

Optimal Design ◽

Optimality Conditions ◽

Matrix Phase ◽

Numerical Treatment ◽

State Equations ◽

Design Problems ◽

Stationary Diffusion ◽

Multiple State ◽

Diffusion Problems

In the study of optimal design related to stationary diffusion problems with multiple-state equations, the description of the setH={(Aa1,...,Aam):A∈K(θ)}for given vectorsa1,...,am∈ℝd(m<d) is crucial.K(θ)denotes all composite materials (in the sense of homogenisation theory) with given local proportionθof the first material. We prove that the boundary ofHis attained by sequential laminates of rank at mostmwith matrix phaseαIand coreβI(α<β). Examples showing that the information on the rank of optimal laminate cannot be improved, as well as the fact that sequential laminates with matrix phaseαIare preferred to those with matrix phaseβI, are presented. This result can significantly reduce the complexity of optimality conditions, with obvious impact on numerical treatment, as demonstrated in a simple numerical example.

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Optimal Design of Structural Components Fabricated With Composite Materials

ASME 1991 Computers in Engineering Conference: Volume 1 — Artificial Intelligence; Expert Systems; CAD/CAM/CAE; Computational Fluid/Thermal Engineering ◽

10.1115/cie1991-0056 ◽

1991 ◽

Author(s):

Kun She ◽

J. P. Sadler ◽

T. R. Tauchert

Keyword(s):

Finite Element ◽

Composite Materials ◽

Optimal Design ◽

Optimization Techniques ◽

Structural Components ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Finite Element Program ◽

Shell Elements ◽

Advanced Composite Materials ◽

Element Program

Abstract The static and dynamic optimal design of structural components fabricated with advanced composite materials are studied by combining the finite element method and optimization techniques. Different element types, loads, component structures and objective functions are investigated. Beams and torsion members are analyzed using the ANSYS finite element program and are optimized via an interface to an optimization software package. The particular element types used to model the composite components include beam elements with equivalent overall material properties and layered shell elements. The optimization variables include member cross sectional dimensions and composite lamina thicknesses and fiber orientations. The optimal results show significant improvement in deflection amplitude levels and dynamic settling times relative to conventional metals and nonoptimized composite materials.

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