Multi-ply laminated composites with low unit area weight

摘要

A global optimization tool can be used to predict the properties of a multi-ply laminated composite as the state of one or more continuous variables and / or one or more binary variables. For example, a global optimization tool may predict composite properties for a large range of fiber orientation angles for each layer of ply. The optimization tool can include solving a mixed integer nonlinear programming problem (MINLP) model to obtain a multi-ply laminated composite design that is optimized for objectives such as unit area weight and cost. Thus, a global optimization tool can identify composite designs that have a lower unit area weight and / or cost than composite designs identified by prior art trial and error methods or heuristic algorithms. obtain. Once a composite design is identified as meeting certain criteria input to a global optimization tool, the composite design can be manufactured.