Minimization of thermal stress in perforated composite plate using metaheuristic algorithms WOA, SCA and GA

Abstract

In this study, an attempt is made to achieve optimal thermal stress distribution in symmetric composite plates with non-circular holes under uniform heat flux by using metaheuristic optimization algorithms. The analytical solution is based on the thermo-elastic theory and the complex variable method. In addition, the stress analysis of laminated composite plates with circular holes is extended to non-circular holes using the appropriate mapping function. To determine the optimum thermal stress, the whale optimization algorithm (WOA) which is inspired by the lifestyle of humpback whales in nature, the sine cosine algorithm (SCA) that is inspired by the calculation of sine and cosine functions and the genetic algorithm (GA) are utilized. The effect of hole orientation, stacking sequence of laminates, bluntness and hole shape as significant parameters on optimum thermal stress distribution around the holes are studied. The laminate is made of graphite/epoxy material with stacking sequences of [0/90] s , [45/-45] s and [30/0/–30] s . The cost function is considered as the maximum value of thermal stress surrounding the hole. The performance of optimization algorithms is examined. It is found out that the circular shape for hole may not necessarily be the optimum geometry for all stacking sequences.