Investigating the Merits of Double-Double and Quad Composites Structural Optimization for Aeronautic Structures
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Structural optimization may imply in many instances the presence of categorical, discrete and continuous variables. This is in particular the case for composite structures, which also involves a set of complex manufacturing-, and cost-related constraints. Such problems belong to mixed-variables optimization, a domain which has regained significant interest in recent years. Still, it is challenging to deal with a great number of variables and catalog sizes in many of these approaches. A recently proposed enhanced version of the Bi-level OA mixed-variables optimization approach is considered here as it was found to mitigate these limitations. Recent years have also seen the gestation of a new composite design concept, called double-double. This concept, based on the definition of only two-ply orientations is able to provide thinner homogenized laminates while relaxing some manufacturing constraints. The new double-double paradigm also allows for easier optimization of composite structures as it decouples the thickness-normalized material properties from the laminate thickness. This work thus aims to investigate the merits of a double-double approach in the structural optimization process of typical aeronautical parts. Various formulations were implemented and compared allowing the identification of the advantages and drawbacks of each approach in a simple but representative formulation.
