Stacking sequence optimization of laminated composite panels for maximum flutter speed

A coupled method of genetic algorithm (GA) and finite element analysis is introduced in the stacking sequence optimum design of laminated composite panels for maximum flutter speed. Firstly, the flutter speeds of laminated panels with different stacking sequences are calculated to show the strong effects of stacking parameters on the flutter characteristics of laminated composite panel. Then, the optimum flutter speed design of composite laminated panels subjected to the constraints on the critical buckling temperature is conducted by using a genetic algorithm in which lamination configuration is used as the design variable. In this approach, the flutter speeds of the laminated composite panels with various stacking sequences were calculated by finite element method. During optimization, the flutter speed was used as the fitness of genetic algorithm. In order to reduce the searching time of optimization, a self-updating fitness database is introduced to save the fitness compution time of each individual during the optimization. A rectangular and a square laminated composite panels with the same area are taken as examples to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed optimization method. The results show that using this method, the thermal flutter speed of laminated composite panel can be maximized without increasing its total layers.