Numerical Optimization of Stress Concentration in Composite Structures for Different Material Arrangement

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Mechanical Engineering
• Computational Mechanics

Background:

• Optimizing complex machine part shape and material properties simultaneously is challenging due to the lack of a single objective function.
• Multi-criteria optimization or weighted averages are typically used for such complex design problems.
• Numerical methods are essential for optimizing both structure and material characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To model and optimize stress distribution in composite plates under complex loading conditions.
• To investigate advanced material compositions including steel, ductile iron, E-glass fibers, and carbon fibers.
• To compare stress distributions in homogeneous, sandwich, and stiffened composite plate designs.

Main Methods:

• Numerical simulations were employed to analyze stress distributions.
• Optimization techniques were applied to determine ideal structural shapes and material arrangements.
• Advanced composite materials were utilized, including combinations of metals and fibers.

Main Results:

• Optimal structural shapes and material compositions were identified through numerical simulations.
• The study analyzed stress distributions in various configurations: homogeneous plates, metal-textile sandwich composites, and plates with added stiffening elements.
• Effective stress management was achieved through tailored material arrangements and structural modifications.

Conclusions:

• Numerical simulations provide a robust method for optimizing complex composite structures.
• The strategic arrangement of diverse materials (steel, ductile iron, E-glass, carbon fibers) significantly influences stress distribution.
• This research offers a pathway to designing more resilient and efficient machine parts through advanced material and structural optimization.