Multiobjective optimum design of laminated composite annular sector plates

This paper deals with multiobjective optimization of symmetrically laminated composite angleply annular sector plates subjected to axial uniform pressure load and thermal load. The design objective is the maximization of the weighted sum of the critical buckling load and fundamental frequency. The design variable is the fibre orientations in the layers. The performance index is formulated as the weighted sum of individual objectives in order to obtain the optimum solutions of the design problem. The first-order shear deformation theory is used for the mathematical formulation. Finally, the effects of different weighting factors, annularity, sector angle and boundary conditions on the optimal design are investigated and the results are compared.