Optimum stacking sequences of thick laminated composite plates for maximizing buckling load using FE-GAs-PSO

• Published in: Composite structures Vol. 159; pp. 361 - 367
• Main Authors: Vosoughi, A.R., Darabi, A., Dehghani Forkhorji, H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-01-2017
• Subjects: Buckling; Composite structures; Finite element method; Hybrid numerical method; Mathematical analysis; Maximum buckling load; Optimization; Optimum stacking sequences; Plates (structural members); Stacking; Swarm intelligence; Thick laminated composite plates; Hybrid numerical method; Maximum buckling load; Thick laminated composite plates; Optimum stacking sequences
• ISSN: 0263-8223; 1879-1085
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2016.09.085

As a first attempt, optimum stacking sequences of thick laminated composite plate is obtained to maximize its buckling load via employing the finite element (FE), genetic algorithms (GAs) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) methods. The higher-order shear deformation theory (HSDT) is used to obtain governing equations of the plate. The finite element method (FEM) is employed to solve these equations and to gain buckling load of the plate. The FEM solution is linked with a developed optimization algorithm which is a mix of genetic algorithms (GAs) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) techniques. Some examples are solved to show applicability and usefulness of the proposed hybrid method for maximizing buckling load of the plate via finding optimum stacking sequences of the plate. Also, influences of different parameters on the optimum stacking sequences of the thick plate are studied.