Buckling analysis and structural optimization of multiple-material omega stiffened composite panel

This paper investigates the effects of multiple materials configurations on the buckling performance, total mass, and manufacturing cost of an existing omega stiffened composite panel. The buckling response of omega stiffened composite panel is predicted and verified using available data in literatures. The multiple materials are introduced into the omega stiffened composite panel. The material distribution, stacking sequences of panel skin, T sub-stiffeners and omega sub-stiffeners are optimized to improve the critical buckling load with reducing the total mass and manufacturing cost. During the optimization process, three classical loading conditions of the stiffened panel are considered, while ensuring compliance with the constraints imposed by ply manufacturing. A generalized optimization design framework for stiffened panels is employed, and NSGA-II algorithm is utilized to achieve the optimum design of stiffened panels. Results demonstrate that the introduction of multiple materials to the omega stiffened composite panel can lead to improved buckling performance, along with reduced manufacturing cost and total mass. Additionally, the proposed multiple-material optimization design framework can be further applied to the structural design of other types of stiffened composite panels in the future.