Robust design optimization of hybrid composite structures based on evolutionary speciation in genetic search

Abstract

In this paper an approach to optimal design of hybrid composite laminate structuresincluding material selection and optimal topology of the structure is considered andsearched as a multimodal optimization problem. Besides searching for optimalmaterial distribution, the composite structure is also optimized relatively to ply angleand thickness of each laminate or other variables related with the reinforcement ofthe structure. Both problems induce the global structural optimization of compositessearching multiple optima representing each one a different design proposal. Theimplementation considers a hierarchical genetic algorithm with age structure andalso based on species conservation paradigm.