• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
• /
• v.28 no.9
• /
• pp.1337-1343
• /
• 2004

Shape optimization was performed to obtain a precise shape of cutouts including the internal shape of cutouts in a laminated composite plate by three dimensional modeling using solid element. Volume control of the growth-strain method was implemented and the distributed parameter chosen as Tsai-Hill fracture index for shape optimization. It makes Tsai-Hill failure index at each element uniform in laminated composites under the predetermined volume a designer requires. Shapes optimized by Tsai-Hill failure index were compared with those of the initial shapes for the various load conditions and cutouts. The following conclusions were obtained in this study; (1) It was found that growth-strain method was applied efficiently to shape optimization of three dimensional cutouts in a laminate composite, (2) The optimal shapes of the various load conditions and cutouts were obtained, (3) The maximum Tsai-Hill failure indices of the optimal shapes were remarkably reduced comparing with those of the initial shapes.