Abstract
The present study proposes a method of topology optimization of microstructures (in-plane unit cell) that maximizes the overall mechanical performance of composite plates. The proposed method hinges on the method of numerical plate testing for two-scale composite plate model, in which thick plate theory is employed at maco-scale and 3D solids are assumed at the micro-scale. Since the macroscopic generalized strain and stress are respectively related to the microscopic strain and stress distributed in the unit cell, the homogenizad plate stiffness approriately reflects the geometrical feature of microstructures. Several optimized topologies a maximeze the macroscopic stiffness are presented to demonstrate the capability of the proposed method.
