IGA Based Bi-Layer Fiber Angle Optimization Method for Variable Stiffness Composites

This paper presents a topology optimization method for variable stiffness composite panels with varying fiber orientation and curvilinear fiber path.Non-uniform rational B-Splines(NURBS)based Isogeometric analysis(IGA)is utilized for the numerical computation of the general minimum compliance problem.The sensitivity analysis of the structure compliance function for the density and bi-layer orientation is conducted.The bi-layer fiber paths in the design domain are generated using streamline method and updated by divided pieces reselection method after the optimization process.Several common examples are tested to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.The results show that the proposed method can generate more manufacturable fiber paths than some typical topology optimization methods.

Bilateral Filter for the Optimization of Composite Structures

In the present study,we propose to integrate the bilateral filter into the Shepard-interpolation-based method for the optimization of composite structures.The bilateral filter is used to avoid defects in the structure that may arise due to the gap/overlap of adjacent fiber tows or excessive curvature of fiber tows.According to the bilateral filter,sensitivities at design points in the filter area are smoothed by both domain filtering and range filtering.Then,the filtered sensitivities are used to update the design variables.Through several numerical examples,the effectiveness of the method was verified.

An XBi-CFAO Method for the Optimization of Multi-Layered Variable Stiffness Composites Using Isogeometric Analysis

This paper presents an effective fiber angle optimization method for two and multi-layered variable stiffness composites.A gradient-based fiber angle optimization method is developed based on isogeometric analysis(IGA).Firstly,the element densities and fiber angles for two and multi-layered composites are synchronously optimized using an extended Bi-layered continuous fiber angle optimization method(XBi-CFAO).The densities and fiber angles in the base layer are attached to the control points.The structure response and sensitivity analysis are accomplished using the non-uniform rational B-spline(NURBS)based IGA.By the benefit of the B-spline space,this method is free from checkerboards,and no additional filtering is needed to smooth the sensitivity numbers.Then the curved fiber paths are generated using the streamline method and the discontinuous fiber paths are smoothed using a partitioned selection process.The proposed method in the paper can alleviate the phenomenon of fiber discontinuity,enhance information retention for the optimized fiber angles of the singular points and save calculating resources effectively.

Concurrent multi-scale design optimization of composite frame structures using the Heaviside penalization of discrete material model

This paper deals with the concurrent multi-scale optimization design of frame structure composed of glass or carbon fiber reinforced polymer laminates. In the composite frame structure, the fiber winding angle at the micro-material scale and the geometrical parameter of components of the frame in the macro-structural scale are introduced as the independent variables on the two geometrical scales. Considering manufacturing requirements, discrete fiber winding angles are specified for the micro design variable. The improved Heaviside penalization discrete material optimization interpolation scheme has been applied to achieve the discrete optimization design of the fiber winding angle. An optimization model based on the minimum structural compliance and the specified fiber material volume constraint has been established. The sensitivity information about the two geometrical scales design variables are also deduced considering the characteristics of discrete fiber winding angles. The optimization results of the fiber winding angle or the macro structural topology on the two single geometrical scales, together with the concurrent two-scale optimization, is separately studied and compared in the paper. Numerical examples in the paper show that the concurrent multi-scale optimization can further explore the coupling effect between the macro-structure and micro-material of the composite to achieve an ultralight design of the composite frame structure. The novel two geometrical scales optimization model provides a new opportunity for the design of composite structure in aerospace and other industries.

Integrated design of topology and material for composite morphing trailing edge based compliant mechanism

The morphing trailing edge based compliant mechanism is a developing technology which can increase lift-drag ratio for variable flight modes by bending down the trailing edge.Composite material design is integrated into topology optimization for the morphing trailing edge based compliant mechanism in the paper.A two-step optimization strategy is established to solve the integrated design problem.Initially,lamination parameters are introduced and viewed as a bridge between structure stiffness and fiber angles for composite material.Design variables include the lamination parameters and element density.The least-squares between actual and desired displacements at output points along trailing edge is adopted to evaluate the deformed capability of the trailing edge.An integrated optimization model for the composite morphing trailing edge is established with the volume constraints.The optimal topologic shape and lamination parameters are initially obtained.Subsequently,a least-squares optimization between fiber angles and the optimal lamination parameters is implemented to obtain optimal fiber angles.Finally,morphing capability of composites trailing edge based compliant mechanism is investigated by simulation and experiments.The results indicate the composites trailing edge based compliant mechanism can approximately bend down 8 degrees and satisfies the design requirement.