Optimization of fiber reinforced composites

A new method for determining the optimal direction and volume fraction of fibers at each point of a structure has been developed. A finite-element discretization is used. The fiber orientation and the fiber volume fraction are assumed to be constant within each element of the model, but they vary from element to element. An algorithm is obtained using variational formulations. It consists of two alternating minimizations: a local one and a global one. The algorithm is shown to be convergent. Results are presented for various laminates subjected to different kinds of edge loads. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.