Frequency optimization of laminated composite skew sandwich plates

Abstract

This paper deals with frequency optimization of skew sandwich plate with laminated composite faces. The design objective is the maximization of the fundamental frequency and the design variable is the fiber orientations of the top and buttom laminated composite faces. The first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) is used for the finite element solution of the laminates. The modified feasible direction (MFD) method is used for the optimization routine. For this purpose, a program based on FORTRAN is used. Finally, the numerical analysis is carried out to investigate the effect of skew angles, aspect ratios, boundary conditions and core thickness on the optimal designs and the results are compared.