Composite Freesize Optimization - Why did I get more Compliance when increasing possible orientations of superplies?

arh423

Hey,

 

i am varying the possible orientations and so the number of superplies of my model.

For example I have two models:

Model 1: 0°,90°,+45°,-45°

Model 2: 0°,10°,20°,30°,40°,50°,60°,70°, 80°, 90°

With same boundarys and loads model 2 results in higher WCOMP.

In my understanding mroe possible orientations should result in a more efficient design and less WCOMP.

How is this explainable?

 

 

Thank you!

Adriano Koga_20259

I assume that you're keeping total laminate thickness the same in your comparisons, right?

Esssentially you're giving way more freedom to your design by allowing it to have all these layers, so naturally the optimizer has much more freedom to find better designs.

BUT, you need to take care, as adding these "non-traditional" orientations, you might also bring design issues such as non-balanced laminates, non-symmetric, and so on, that might mess up with your ABD matrices, thus resulting in some undesired couplings (extension-shear-bending-twisting).

So use it with caution.