Discrete material optimization of general composite shell structures

TLDR

The paper presents a novel method for material optimization of general composite laminate shell structures, illustrated with three examples. The method, called Discrete Material Optimization (DMO), employs gradient information and mathematical programming, leveraging multiphase topology optimization to parametrize the problem and reduce the risk of local optima, and can address orientation, material selection, or combined optimization tasks. DMO successfully solves discrete optimization problems for orientation, material selection, and combined cases, as demonstrated on a cantilever beam, a four‑point beam bending problem, and a doubly curved laminated shell. © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abstract

Abstract A novel method for doing material optimization of general composite laminate shell structures is presented and its capabilities are illustrated with three examples. The method is labelled Discrete Material Optimization (DMO) but uses gradient information combined with mathematical programming to solve a discrete optimization problem. The method can be used to solve the orientation problem of orthotropic materials and the material selection problem as well as problems involving both. The method relies on ideas from multiphase topology optimization to achieve a parametrization which is very general and reduces the risk of obtaining a local optimum solution for the tested configurations. The applicability of the DMO method is demonstrated for fibre angle optimization of a cantilever beam and combined fibre angle and material selection optimization of a four‐point beam bending problem and a doubly curved laminated shell. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.