Abstract
The paper presents an effective optimization approach on laminate configurations of symmetrically laminated plates for various kind of stiffness characteristics, i.e., bending, vibration, buckling and panel flutter. The coupling between bending and twisting is taken into consideration in the stiffness analysis of symmetrically laminated plates. Using lamination parameters, the effect of bending-twisting coupling on stiffness characteristics is discussed for the case of simply supported edges. The relation of laminate configurations and stiffness characteristics is also clarified based on a concept of lamination parameters. Optimal laminate configuration for various kind of stiffness characteristics is obtained using a mathematical programming method where four lamination parameters are used as design variables. The optimal lamination parameters and the corresponding laminate configuration can be obtained easily by the present approach.
