Fiber Orientation optimization and topology optimization for thermal buckling of laminated plates

Abstract

This work aims to optimize the topology and fiber orientations of symmetric laminated composite plates. The goal is to maximize their stability under thermal loading while meeting volume fraction constraints. First, lamination parameters and densities are set as design variables to determine fiber orientations and topological shapes. A composite optimization model is established based on penalty theory. The method of moving asymptotes (MMA) algorithm is used to obtain the optimum lamination parameters and topological shapes. Next, leveraging the relationship between lamination parameters and fiber orientations, the solution of nonlinear equations is reformulated as a least-squares optimization problem. The Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm is then applied to determine the fiber orientations. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified through optimization examples of four-sided and opposite-sided clamped laminate plates.