Optimum shape for buckling and post-buckling behavior of a laminated composite panel with I-type stiffeners

Abstract

A shape optimization of stiffener was conducted to increase buckling load or failure load with stiffened laminated composite panel of I-type under compression loading. Design variables are cap length, web length, and/or thickness under the constraint of volume constancy. The objective function is buckling load and failure load of post-buckling based on Tsai-Hill theory using ABAQUS 5.8 for analysis and Optimizer on Broydon-Fletcher Goldfarb-Sharno Method and Augmented Lagrange Multiplier Method. The effects of relative length of a web and a cap of stiffener on buckling load and failure load of post-buckling were investigated with the results of optimum design.