Optimal design of vibro-impact resistant fiber reinforced composite plates with polyurea coating

This paper studies on optimal design of vibro-impact resistant fiber reinforced composite plates (FRCPs) with polyurea coating. Initially, a theoretical model for the coated FRCP structures under elastic boundary conditions is proposed, through which dynamic stiffness and impact damage area are predicted. Here, based on the first order shear deformation theory and the Rayleigh-Ritz method, the dynamic stiffness of coated FRCP structures is calculated, which is taken as an index of vibration suppression performance. Regarded as an index of anti-vibration performance, the impact damage area is identified by employing the Hertz contact law and the predefined delamination threshold load. After validation of the proposed model against a series of experiments on coated and uncoated FRCP specimens, optimization analysis is then conducted based on the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm, where the maximum dynamic stiffness, the minimum impact damage area and structural mass are defined as objective functions, and thickness ratio, elastic modulus ratio and ply orientation angle are taken as design variables. It has been found that to possess the desired vibration and impact resistant capabilities together with maintaining lightweight property, it is recommended to choose design variables associated with the turning point of Pareto-optimal solutions as the final optimal results.