Enhancing buckling performance of perforated composite laminates by manipulating fiber direction using a genetic algorithm.

To maximize buckling loads of composite laminates, optimization is carried out using a Genetic algorithm (GA) in conjunction with finite element analysis. A perforated laminated composite plate is used for buckling analysis. The geometry is discretized into solid threedimensional twenty node isoparametric layered composite elements developed for this study. Fiber orientations of each element and individual plies are controlled independently by the genetic algorithm, which is especially advantageous for complex problems including many design variables. This approach for composite buckling produces more enhanced results than conventional methods, such as changing the stacking sequence of various rectilinear orthotropic plies with different fiber orientations, different ply thicknesses or different local fiber densities. Additionally, it can be used in diverse areas from sensitive local buckling to global stability of structures. The genetic algorithm, finite element analysis and eigen buckling analysis are numerically combined into a composite optimization code, COMBO20. The successful performance of the proposed approach is demonstrated with an example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]