Multi-objective optimization design of radar absorbing sandwich structure

Abstract

By introducing a dimensionless parameter to couple the two objectives, weight and radar absorbing performance, into a single objective function, a multi-objective optimization procedure for the radar absorbing sandwich structure (RASS) with a cellular core is proposed. The optimization models considered are one-side clamped sandwich panels with four kinds of cores subject to uniformly distributed loads. The average specular reflectivity calculated with the transfer matrix method and the periodic moment method is utilized to characterize the radar absorbing performance, while the mechanical constraints include the facesheet yielding, core shearing, and facesheet wrinkling. The optimization analysis indicates that the sandwich structure with a two-dimensional (2D) composite lattice core filled with ultra-lightweight sponge may be a better candidate of lightweight RASS than those with cellular foam or hexagonal honeycomb cores. The 2D Kagome lattice is found to outperform the square lattice with respect to radar absorbing.