An open-source framework for the FE modeling and optimal design of fiber-steered variable-stiffness composite cylinders using water strider algorithm

As the automated fiber placement (AFP) manufacturing technology is developed, curvilinear fiber path composite structures received extensive attention. Therefore, developing a design framework capable of optimizing such structures is a significant challenge for researchers and engineers in this domain. In this article, an open-source ABAQUS/MATLAB-based framework is developed for the bending-induced buckling design of variable-stiffness (VS) composite cylinders made using the AFP method. The framework is based on an interface between ABAQUS FE packages with MATLAB environment using Python scripting language. In this framework, the optimized fiber angle distribution of steered plies and associated bending-induced buckling load of its FE model is obtained by applying a meta-heuristic optimization algorithm. The developed Python script submits dimensions, angle distributions, as well as loading and boundary conditions to ABAQUS/CAE. This framework can be customized to meet industrial demands. To show such flexibility, different types of metaheuristic optimization algorithms and aspect ratios are applied, and the associated problems are optimized separately. In addition to the simplicity and versatility of the proposed framework, the results indicate the higher performance of a novel metaheuristic, the so-called Water Strider Algorithm (WSA). Moreover, this framework can be used for finite element modeling and analysis in the metamodeling step for composite cylinders with higher aspect ratios.

随着自动纤维铺放（automated fiber placement, AFP）制造技术的发展，曲线纤维路径复合结构受到了广泛关注。因此，开发可对此类结构进行优化的设计框架，是该领域研究人员与工程师面临的一项重要挑战。本文提出了一种基于开源ABAQUS/MATLAB的设计框架，用于AFP工艺制备的变刚度（variable-stiffness, VS）复合圆筒的弯曲诱导屈曲设计。该框架依托Python脚本语言，实现ABAQUS有限元软件包与MATLAB环境的接口互联。在此框架中，通过元启发式优化算法（meta-heuristic optimization algorithm），可获得定向铺层的优化纤维角度分布，以及其对应有限元模型的弯曲诱导屈曲载荷。所开发的Python脚本可将结构尺寸、角度分布、载荷与边界条件提交至ABAQUS/CAE。该框架可根据工业需求进行定制。为展示其灵活性，本文采用了多种元启发式优化算法与不同长宽比的算例，并分别对相关问题进行了优化求解。除具备简洁性与通用性外，研究结果表明，一种新型元启发式算法——水黾算法（Water Strider Algorithm, WSA）表现出更优异的性能。此外，该框架还可用于高长宽比复合圆筒元建模步骤中的有限元建模与分析工作。