Shape Optimization of Cutouts in a Composite Plate by Growth-Strain Method

Abstract

The growth-strain method was applied to shape optimization of cutouts in a composite plate. In this study, of particular interest was whether the growth-strain method developed for shape optimization in isotropic media would work for composite plates. Since the growth-strain method optimizes a shape by generating the bulk strain to make the distributed parameter uniform, the distributed parameter was chosen as Tsai-Hill failure index. Both volume control and stress control of the growth-strain method were performed to obtain optimal shapes under predetermined volumes and target Tsai-Hill values. The Tsai-Hill values of the optimal shapes were compared with those of the initial shapes for the various load conditions, and predetermined volumes and target Tsai-Hill values. As a result, it was verified that the growth-strain method worked very well for shape optimization of cutouts in a composite plate.