Abstract
This paper studies the sensitivity analysis for the optimization of the multi-layered composite axisymmetric shells subjected to arbitrary static loading and free vibrations. The structural analysis is carried out using a two node frustum-cone finite element with 16 degrees of freedom based on Love-Kirchhoff assumptions. The design variables are the angle of orientation of the fibers and/or the vectorial distances from middle surface to upper surface of each ply. The constraint functions are displacements, stresses (Tsai-Hill criterion) and the natural frequency of a specified mode shape. Four types of objective functions can be used: maximum displacement or natural frequency or elastic strain energy and material volume. The design sensitivities are calculated analytically, semi-analytically and by global finite difference. The potentiality of the proposed model and the accuracy of the sensitivities of response are discussed with reference to the applications.
Highlights
The use of composite materials is having a great impact in the design process of structural components encountered in engineering practice with great relevance in pressure vessel, aerospace, automobile, naval and defense industries
The evaluation of sensitivities of structural response to changes in design variables is a crucial stage in the optimal design representing a major factor with respect to computing time required for the optimization process
The structural analysis is carried out using a frustum-cone finite element with 16 degrees of freedom based on Love-Kirchhoff assumptions (Kraus, 1967)
Summary
IDMEC-lnstituto de Engenharia Mecfinica, IST, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1096 Lisboa Codex, Portugal and. ENIDH-Departamento de Mfiquinas Maritimas, Paso de Arcos, 2780 Oeiras, Portugal (Received 5 May 1994; final version accepted 28 January 1995). Abstract--This paper studies the sensitivity analysis for the optimization of the multi-layered composite axisymmetric shells subjected to arbitrary static loading and free vibrations. The structural analysis is carried out using a two node frustum-cone finite element with 16 degrees of freedom based on Love-Kirchhoff assumptions. The constraint functions are displacements, stresses (Tsai-Hill criterion) and the natural frequency of a specified mode shape. Four types of objective functions can be used: maximum displacement or natural frequency or elastic strain energy and material volume. The design sensitivities are calculated analytically, semi-analytically and by global finite difference. The potentiality of the proposed model and the accuracy of the sensitivities of response are discussed with reference to the applications
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