Optimization Techniques Used in Engineering Applications

FRP composite is now being used in the construction of main structural elements, such as the FRP sandwich panel for flooring system and bridges.

Many researchers haveaccepted that the traditional materials such as wood, steel and concrete lose the battle against corrosion. New construction technologies have been trialled using FRP materials  as  an  alternative  to  the  traditional  steel,  concrete,and  wood  materials .In addition,  its  use  has  been  increasing  for  the  repairing,  strengthening  and  replacement  of  old structures. Therefore, the evaluation of the  fibre  composites in civil engineering applications is  important  to  justify  whether  this  material  is  reliable  enough  to  be  used  as  a  construction material.  Steel  is  a  homogenous  material  with  constant  stiffness  in  all  directions,  while  the FRP  composite  material  has  different  stiffness  in  different  directions.  The  fibre  composite member  designed  for  tension  cannot  be  loaded  with  torsion  forces.Therefore,  fibre composites  are  generally  anisotropic,  brittle,  low  modulus,and arehighly  dependent  on  the properties  of  its  components  matrix  and  fibre.  

The optimization of a composite plate is crucial analysis for layout of systems ranging from aircrafts to civil engineering structures.  the design optimization hassle of present day interest is the minimization of the burden function for a sandwich composite plate. this is a design optimization problem which optimizes the thickness of the sandwich layers to give the minimal weight. of extra interest to contemporary have a look at are the works at the layout optimization of composite sandwich plates wherein the thickness of outer layers and the core are taken because the design variables.

These  types  of  fibre  composite  girders  require substantial  research  and  development  to  satisfy  the  design  requirements,  including  effects such  as  environmental  impact,  long-term  durability,  load  variation,  cost,  and  dynamic consideration.

Optimization methods in fibre composite structural design

This  section  will  review  the  most  popular optimization methods  used  in  the  design  of  fibre composite  structures  for  civil  engineering  applications.  The  design  optimization  of  civil engineering  structures  has  specific  design  requirements  or  constraints  regarding  to  the serviceability of the structure during itslong life.