Design of experiments for stacking sequence optimizations with genetic algorithm using response surface approximation

This study describes a new method of experimental design to obtain a response surface of buckling load of laminated composites. Many evaluations for genetic algorithms for stacking sequence optimizations require high computational cost. That evaluation cost can be reduced by an approximation using a response surface. For a response surface for stacking sequence optimizations, lamination parameters are adopted as variables of the approximation function of the entire design space instead of ply angles for each ply. This study presents, proposes and investigates a new method of experimental design in detail. For most analytical tools, stacking sequences is demand as input data and lamination parameters cannot be applied directly to the tools. Therefore, the present study proposes and applies a new D-optimal set of laminates to the stacking sequence optimizations of the problem of maximization of buckling load of a composite cylinder. The new experimental design is a set of stacking sequences selected from candidate stacks using D-optimality. Consequently, the D-optimal set of laminates is shown to be effective for design of experiments of response surfaces for maximization of the buckling load of composite structures. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.