Optimal location of cutout within a cross-ply laminated cantilever beam for maximum lateral buckling load

Abstract

This paper deals with the location optimization of a cutout within a laminated cantilever beam for maximizing the lateral buckling load. Various shapes of cutout, such as circular, elliptical, triangular, are generally used in structural components as a design requirement or sometime to reduce the overall weight of the structures. In this study, a laminated cantilever beam, with a single cutout, is considered. The beam is subjected to a concentrated load at the free end. The objective is to obtain the optimal location of the cutout which resist maximum lateral buckling load. For this an optimization routine has been used in which a finite element calculation of critical lateral buckling load in ANSYS is coupled with an in-built global optimization tool (Genetic Algorithm) in MATLAB. The optimal results are reported for various cases arising from change of geometry and material properties of the plate. It has been concluded that the position of cutout in the laminated beam plays a significant role while designing against lateral buckling load.