Optimal design of large composite panels with varying loads

This paper presents an optimization formulation for the design of large com posite panels when loads vary over the panel. A methodology termed "blendin g" is introduced and used to ensure that a panel is manufacturable. Two way s of specifying the blending rules in optimal design formulation are set fo rth and compared. A global optimization algorithm, Improving Hit-and-Run (I HR), is used to find optimal designs. A composite panel is designed with an d without using blending rules to demonstrate their effectiveness. The resu lting designs show that blending rules are a great assistance in designing large composite panels that are tailored for varying loads in a practical m anner. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.