Buckling Analysis and Optimization of Stiffened Variable Angle Tow Laminates with a Cutout Considering Manufacturing Constraints

Variable angle tow laminates (VAT) and stiffeners are known to redistribute the in-plane load distribution tailor buckling mode shapes, respectively, for improving structural performance. To leverage benefits of using VAT in practical applications, present paper, we discuss maximization conducted a stiffened laminated plate with central cutout considering laminate manufacturing constraints. Three representative boundary conditions as seen aerospace structures considered: axial displacement, pure shear, bending displacements. Two common constraints, one on automatic fiber placement (AFP) head turning radius other gap/overlap, while fabricating considered design. These two constraints modeled by controlling path curvature tape parallelism optimizing orientations laminates. Stiffener layout plates both study. avoid fine mesh modeling when employing finite element analysis during optimization, independently. The displacement compatibility is enforced at stiffener–plate interfaces ensure that move plate. Particle swarm optimization used algorithm Optimization results show that, without AFP can increase loads 21.2% 12.4%, comparing commonly quasi-isotropic traditionally straight structure under case, 19.7% 12.5%, shear 62.1% 26.6%, case. found have different impacts responses laminates, which cause maximum be 9.3–10.1%, 3.0–3.2%, 23.2–29.8% less than those obtained studied model axial,