Nature inspired optimization techniques for the design optimization of laminated composite structures using failure criteria

• Published in: Expert systems with applications 2011-03, Vol.38 (3), p.2489-2499
• Main Authors: Narayana Naik, G., Omkar, S.N., Mudigere, Dheevatsa, Gopalakrishnan, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Design optimization; Failure mechanism based failure criterion; Genetic algorithms; Laminated composite structures; Vector evaluated particle swarm optimization
• ISSN: 0957-4174; 1873-6793
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eswa.2010.08.038

► Comparison of the nature inspired optimization techniques such as VEPSO and GA are considered along with the comparison of different failure criteria are considered for the study. ► Optimum weight predictions obtained for three different failure criteria by VEPSO and GA are evaluated for different loading conditions. ► Optimization using VEPSO and GA shows that, the optimum weight of the laminate predicted by Tsai–Wu criterion differ considerably than the predictions made by MS and FMB failure criteria. ► It is found that, there is an enormous difference in the prediction of weight of the laminate in the third-quadrant of the failure envelope, in this quadrant the laminate is subjected to biaxial compressive loading. ► The effect of stacking sequence is also studied and it is noted that as the stacking sequence of the laminate varies the optimum weight of the laminate varies. ► Both VEPSO and GA agree reasonably well, except there are very marginal difference, for certain types of loading combinations and stacking sequence. The design optimization of laminated composites using naturally inspired optimization techniques such as vector evaluated particle swarm optimization ( VEPSO) and genetic algorithms ( GA) are used in this paper. The design optimization of minimum weight of the laminated composite is evaluated using different failure criteria. The failure criteria considered are maximum stress ( MS), Tsai–Wu ( TW) and failure mechanism based ( FMB) failure criteria. Minimum weight of the laminates are obtained for different failure criteria using VEPSO and GA for different combinations of loading. From the study it is evident that VEPSO and GA predict almost the same minimum weight of the laminate for the given loading. Comparison of minimum weight of the laminates by different failure criteria differ for some loading combinations. The comparison shows that FMBFC provide better results for all combinations of loading.