ABSTRACTThe imperfection sensitivity of cylindrical panels under compression loading is shown to be not only reduced but effectively eliminated using stiffness tailoring techniques. Shells are designed with variable angle-tow (VAT) laminae, giving their laminates variable-stiffness properties over the surface co-ordinates. By employing an asymptotic model of the non-linear shell behaviour and a genetic algorithm, the post-buckling stability was maximised with respect to the VAT design variables. Results for optimised straight-fibre and VAT shells are presented in comparison with quasi-isotropic designs. In the straight-fibre case, small improvements in the post-buckling stability are shown to be possible but at the expense of the buckling load. In the VAT case, on the other hand, considerable improvements in the post-buckling stability are obtained and drops in axial stiffness and load associated with buckling are reduced to negligible levels. The improvements are shown to be a result of a benign membrane stress distribution prior to buckling and a localisation of the buckling mode. The asymptotic results are compared with non-linear finite-element analyses and are found to be in good agreement. Potential future multi-objective optimisation studies are discussed.
Post-buckling analyses of variable-stiffness composite cylinders in axial compression
