Buckling characteristics and layup optimization of long laminated composite cylindrical shells subjected to combined loads using lamination parameters

The buckling characteristics and layup optimization of long laminated composite cylindrical shells subjected to combined loads of axial compression and torsion are examined on the basis of Flugge's theory. In the buckling analysis of long laminated composite cylindrical shells, 12 lamination parameters are introduced and used as design variables for layup optimization. Applying a variational approach, the feasible region in the design space of the 12 lamination parameters is numerically obtained. The buckling characteristics are discussed in the design space of the 12 lamination parameters. In the layup optimization, the optimum lamination parameters for maximizing the buckling loads and the laminate configurations for realizing the optimum lamination parameters are determined by mathematical programming methods. It is found that in case of combined loads of axial compression and torsion, the optimum laminate configurations are unsymmetric. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.