Stacking sequence optimization for maximum buckling load of simply supported orthotropic plates by enhanced permutation search algorithm

Abstract

An enhanced permutation search (EPS) algorithm is proposed for stacking sequence optimization of simply supported orthotropic plates to maximize the buckling load. By taking advantage of the approximate linear superposition regular of buckling load factor and accounting for the nonlinear effects of buckling mode as well as the non-dimensional anisotropic coefficients, the stacking sequence design is decomposed to three phases. First, the best ply orientations are identified using the sequential permutation table with multiple buckling modes. Secondly, the stacking sequence is designed from the mid-plane to the outermost position sequentially within a nested-loop search accounting for the buckling mode. Thirdly, the signs of the ply orientations are designed independently to control the bending–twisting coupling effects. Numerical examples are presented to verify the robustness and efficiency of the EPS, and the results are compared with those of heuristic algorithms. Better optimal solutions are obtained by EPS, with higher efficiency.

KEYWORDS:

• Enhanced permutation search
• orthotropic plates
• stacking sequence optimization
• composite laminates
• buckling

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Replication of results

The MATLAB source codes for the EPS algorithm are provided in the attached supplementary material; results for all examples in Section 5 can be obtained. The main function is EPS_examples.m.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China [grant number D5000200494, D5000200478] and the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant numbers 11972297, 11972300, 11972301].