TRANSVERSE-SHEAR EFFECTS IN, SHAPE OPTIMIZATION OF THINWALLED LAMINATED COMPOSITE STRUCTURES

This paper presents both theoretical and finite element formulation of the shape optimization applied to laminated cylindrical panels and shells weaked by a centrally located hole. The objective of the optimization problem is to equalize the strain density energy round the hole using a finite set of parameters characterizing the curve. The problem is formulated and solved with the use of geometrically linear shell theory based on three different shell models. Special attention is focused on the formulation of the problem taking into acocunt the form of geometrical and physical relations and the finite element discretization. Several numerical examples are demonstrated to illustrate the capability of the proposed optimization procedures, and on the other hand, to exhibit the influence of the shell models and fibre orientations on the optimal design.