GENETIC ALGORITHMS FOR THE DESIGN OF LAMINATED COMPOSITE PANELS

Genetic algorithms (GA's) are powerful tools for the design of laminat ed composite structures, and can easily handle the discrete nature of the stacking sequence design problem. The paper discusses new strategi es and operators for laminate design problems, and demonstrates their application to the stacking sequence design of unstiffened and stiffen ed composite panels under combined in-plane loads. The power of the GA based design procedure is illustrated by comparing the discrete desig ns with those obtained using continuous optimization methods like sequ ential linearization. Implementation of new strategies results in subs tantial reduction in the number of analysis required. Not only are bet ter designs obtained, but the GA approach easily generates multiple an d near optimal design alternatives