Buckling and first-ply failure optimization of stiffened variable angle tow panels

A computationally efficient two-level design methodology is developed for the optimization of stiffened compression loaded panels having variable stiffness panels as their skin. In the first step extensive bay panel optimization is performed using a Rayleigh-Ritz energy method coupled with a specialized Genetic Algorithm. Results in agreement...

Damage and Failure of Non-Conventional Composite Laminates

For a long time, the application of composite materials was restricted to military aircraft and secondary structures of commercial aircraft. Furthermore, the design possibilities offered by composite laminates were narrowed to quasi-isotropic configurations due to their closer behaviour with monolithic materials, hence with a more predictable...