Multidisciplinary Optimization of Composite Laminates with Resin Transfer Moulding

Abstract

In this study, a multidiscplinary optimisation methodology of composite structures with the Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) process is suggested in order to satisfy both the structural and the process requirements. Among the composite manufacturing techniques, the RTM process is distinguished for its own many advantages such as low manufacturing costs, complex shapes, high productivity, and good mechanical performance. In designing composite structures with the RTM process, tailoring the fibre preform architecture plays an important role as well as deciding the injection strategy. With some appropriate assumptions, a simplified optimisation method is suggested to find a near optimal design configuration. At first, the number of fibre mats, the stacking sequence of layer angles and the injection gate locations are found in order to satisfy the structural criteria, such as the stiffness requirement, and the process criteria, such as the mould filling time. Then, the thickness of the composite laminate and the fibre volume fraction are determined so as to reduce the weight keeping all the design criteria satisfied. This problem is a multi-objective optimisation problem and hence an objective function is appropriately formulated. As an optimisation technique, a genetic algorithm is used. The reliability of the present design methodology is assessed with some examples.