Design optimization of composite submerged cylindrical pressure hull using genetic algorithm and finite element analysis

摘要

The design of structures made of laminated composites greatly depends on the fiber orientation angle and the number of ply layers. In the present study design optimization of composite submerged pressure hull under 3 MPa hydrostatic pressure, which corresponds to 300 m depth, is carried out. The number of layers and orientation angles are optimized for layups [0(m)/90(n)/0(o)], [10(m)/-10(n)/90(o)/-10(p)/10(q)], [alpha(1m)/alpha(2n)], [alpha(1m)/alpha(2n)/alpha(3o)]and [alpha(1m)/alpha(2n)/alpha(3o)/alpha(4p)/alpha(5q)] using three unidirectional composite materials, Carbon/Epoxy, Glass/Epoxy, and Boron/Epoxy. The optimization process is carried out in ANSYS Workbench using a Genetic Algorithm. Minimizing the buoyancy factor is used as the objective function of the optimization. The constraints on the optimization process are Tsai-Wu and Tsai-Hill failure criteria and buckling strength factor. Optimization study is also conducted for one selected layup configuration using ABAQUS and ISIGHT. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis is also carried out to study the effect of various design parameters on the optimum design of composite submerged pressure hull.