INTEGRATED OPTIMIZATION FOR WEIGHT, PERFORMANCE AND COST OF COMPOSITE STURUCTURES

A structure-process integrated optimization methodology is proposed considering both the structural properties and manufacturing process for the weight minimization of composite laminated plates manufactured by Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) process. In the optimization problem, the structural weight of composite structures is minimized under the stiffness constraint and the mold filling time constraint which is a part of process cycle time. With the results obtained, it is investigated how the weight and material cost are traded-off. The optimization methodology suggests a guide of material selection in the preliminary conceptual design stage.