An In-depth Study of Optimization of Glass-Epoxy Unidirectional Fiber-Reinforced Laminated Composites Under Mechanical Loading

摘要

It is crucial to calculate the fiber orientation of each composite layer that provides the maximum strength. Considering macroscopic and microscopic levels, we developed an optimization tool for composite structures using higher-order finite element analysis with Mindlin-Reissner’s shear deformation theory embedded in MATLAB. At the microscopic level, we considered fiber volume fraction, aspect ratio, and strengths using higher-order finite element method. At the macroscopic level, shear deformation theory was incorporated to consider the shear stress and rotational inertia on per unit freedom. Using the developed optimization tool, we applied buckling load in different directions on laminated glass-epoxy structure to compare the result with previous literature and to find the optimal glass-epoxy structure for different purposes. In conclusion, experimental data indicated that combining two approaches can lead to a more reliable and pragmatic optimization method for predicting laminate strength in various loading situations.