Buckling Optimization of Composite Cylinders for Underwater Vehicle Applications Under Tsai-Wu Failure Criterion Constraint

An optimization framework is developed to maximize design pressure of composite cylindrical shell subjected to hydrostatic pressure. Genetic algorithm (GA) integrated with numerical analysis is used in the framework to find optimal winding pattern of the composite cylinders. As a novelty, unlike other studies only considering buckling, in this study, material failure is taken as design constraint in the optimization problem. Sensitivity analyses are performed to study the effects of design variables on the buckling pressure, material failure pressure and design pressure. Comparative study is carried out to analyze the buoyancy factors of the cylindrical shell made of metal alloys and composites. Results reveal that as the shell thickness of the cylinder increases, the material failure pressure instead of the buckling pressure determines the design pressure. It can be concluded that reliable winding pattern designs can be achieved for composite cylinders under hydrostatic pressure when the Tsai-Wu failure criterion is considered.