Multi-objective design optimization of an innovative fibre composite sandwich panel for civil engineering applications

Abstract

Fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials have become an important target for providing innovative structures in civil engineering applications. FRP composite structures have been used as a replacement for old degrading traditional structures or building new structures. This paper describes a methodology and results for an optimal design of innovative structural fibre composite sandwich floor panel by using Finite Element (FE) and multi-objective design optimization methods. The materials cost and the structural panel weight minimizations are regarded as two objective functions for the design target. The multi-objective simulated annealing (MOSA) algorithm was used to find the optimum design variables. The optimization results show that the skin orientation of ±45 degrees is the best design for two-way square floor panel design.