Optimum design of axially loaded fiber-reinforced composites by targeting micro- and macro-mechanical properties

This study is concerned with a multi-variable optimization to find the strength ratio of axial loaded composites. Typically, macro-mechanical properties like fiber orientation and layer thickness are optimized to increase strength assuming a fixed volume fraction; However, for this study, strength was optimized by including micro-mechanical properties in optimization. Specifically, fiber volume fraction was added as an optimization design variable. The optimization was performed using differential evolution, which is an evolutionary optimization. Static failure theories were utilized to compute theoretical strength ratios. Tsai-Wu Failure Theory was applied in conjunction with the Maximum Stress Failure Theory to verify the minimum mode of failure. Results are presented numerically and graphically for axial loads on various composite designs.