Buckling optimization of unsymmetrically laminated plates under transverseloads

The critical buckling loads of unsymmetrically laminated rectangular plates with a given material system and subjected to combined lateral and inplane loads are maximized with respect to fiber orientations by using a sequenti al linear programming method together with a simple move-limit strategy. Si gnificant influence of plate aspect ratios, central circular cutouts, later al loads and end conditions on the optimal fiber orientations and the assoc iated optimal buckling loads of unsymmetrically laminated plates has been s hown through this investigation.