Publications

Valido, A.J. and Barradas Cardoso, J. (2013), “Optimal Geometry Laminated Thin-Walled Cross Sections”, Congress on Numerical Methods in Engineering, 25-28 June, Bilbao, Spain

The aim of this paper is to perform optimal design of the cross-section global geometry of thinwalled laminated composite beams. Thin-walled beams made of thin composite flat panels with symmetric and balanced stacking sequences are considered. Several properties are used as performance measures of the optimum design problem. These properties are expressed as integrals based on the cross-section geometry, on the warping functions for torsion, shear bending and shear warping, and on the individual stiffness of the laminates constituting the cross-section. The finite element method is used in discretizing the theory. As design variables one considers selected master nodes related to the finite element mesh. For design sensitivity calculations, the cross-section is modeled throughout design elements. Geometrically, these elements may coincide with the laminates that constitute the cross-section. The developed formulation is based on the concept of adjoint structure method, which suffers a specific adjoint warping for each of the properties. It can be applied in a unified way to open, closed or hybrid cross-sections. Design optimization is performed by mathematical programming.

If you did not manage to obtain a copy of this paper: Request a copy of this article



For information about all CENTEC publications you can download: Download the Complete List of CENTEC Publications