Abstract:
The development of an evolutionary optimisation method and its application to the
design of an advanced composite structure is discussed in this study.
Composite materials are increasingly being used in various fields, and so optimisation
of such structures would be advantageous. From among the various methods
available, one particular method, known as Evolutionary Structural Optimisation
(ESO), is shown here. ESO is an empirical method, based on the concept of removing
and adding material from a structure, in order to create an optimum shape. The
objective of the research is to create an ESO method, utilising MSC.Patran/Nastran, to
optimise composite structures. The creation of the ESO algorithm is shown, and the
results of the development of the ESO algorithm are presented.
A tailfin of an aircraft was used as an application example. The aim was to reduce
weight and create an optimised design for manufacture. The criterion for the analyses
undertaken was stress based. Two models of the tailfin are used to demonstrate the
effectiveness of the developed ESO algorithm. The results of this research are
presented in the study.
Description:
Thesis submitted in compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Durban University of Technology, 2008.
