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 structures including material selection and optimal topology of the structure is considered and searched as a multimodal optimization problem. Besides searching for optimal material distribution, the composite structure is also optimized relatively to ply angle and thickness of each laminate or other variables related with the reinforcement of the structure. Both problems induce the global structural optimization of composites searching multiple optima representing each one a different design proposal. The implementation considers a hierarchical genetic algorithm with age structure and also based on species conservation paradigm.