IGA based bi-layer fiber angle optimization method for variable stiffness composites

Abstract

This paper presents a topology optimization method for variable stiffness composite panels with varying fiber orientation and curvilinear fiber path. Non-uniform rational B-Splines (NURBS) based Isogeometric analysis (IGA) is utilized for the numerical computation of the general minimum compliance problem. The sensitivity analysis of the structure compliance function for the density and bi-layer orientation is conducted. The bi-layer fiber paths in the design domain are generated using streamline method and updated by divided pieces reselection method after the optimization process. Several common examples are tested to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. The results show that the proposed method can generate more manufacturable fiber paths than some typical topology optimization methods.