Post-Buckling Optimisation of Composite Structures Using a Firefly Algorithm

In this work, a firefly algorithm was implemented and used to optimise composite structures in the postbuckling regime.In the first case studied, the goal was to maximise the post-buckling load of a rectangular plate subjected, independently, to shear load and uniaxial compression.The orientations of the layers served as design variables, while a maximal transverse displacement was considered as a constraint.Next, a reinforced flat panel was studied, with the goal of maximising the shear load in the post-buckling regime while constrained by the Tsai-Wu criterion.The design variables were the positions of the stiffeners and the orientations of the layers of the laminate.The degree of improvement in the maximum post-buckling load depended on the specific problem and ranged from 2.5 to 36 % compared to baseline designs.The selection of the structures chosen for the analyses ensured that the firefly algorithm was tested with progressively more challenging optimisation problems.The results suggested that the firefly algorithm could be used in the design of laminated composite structures.