Abstract
Stacking sequence optimization is an important problem in a design of composite panel. Practical composite laminates comprise a small set of available fiber orientations such as 0°, 45°, 90° and -45°plies because of the fabrication process and/or lack of experimental data. The restriction of available fiber orientations makes the stacking sequence optimizations into combinatorial optimization problems. For such combinatorial optimizations, genetic algorithm (GA) is a well known and popular tool. However, the GA is one of probabilistic algorithms and its reliability decreases as increasing the number of plies. In addition, GA requires several parameter tunings. The present study proposes a novel deterministic algorithm, that is named fractal-branch and bound method (FBBM). Using this method, the designers can optimize the bending stiffnesses certainly and immediately without any parameter tunings. In this paper, FBBM is applied to design bending-twisting coupling stiffnesses to show its high efficiency and reliability.
