Design Optimisation of Practical Variable Stiffness and Thickness Laminates

The use of composite materials in airplanes has been increasing over the last decades, mainly due to the high strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratio of composites. Traditionally, the possible fibre angles are often restricted to 0°, ±45° and 90°, referred to as conventional laminates. However, with the rise of fibre placement machines,...

Static aeroelastic optimization of composite wind turbine blades using variable stiffness laminates: Exploring twist coupled composite blades in stall control

There is a growth in the energy consumption of the world, leading to rapid depletion of natural resources, such as fossil fuels. Added to that, the environmental impact of fossil fuels (e.g. global warming) makes a renewable source of energy a better alternative for power generation. Among renewable energy sources, generating energy from wind is...