Buckling optimization of composite axisymmetric cylindrical shells under uncertain loading combinations

Abstract

Optimal elastic buckling loads of composite ax-isymmetric circular cylinders under uncertain loading conditions are investigated. The mechanical loads applied to the cylinder are a combination of axial compression, lateral pressure and torsion. Additionally, these loads are allowed to vary within a certain class of admissible loads during the optimization search, as opposed to the restriction of fixed loads in the traditional optimization. The consideration of a degree of uncertainty in the mechanical loads leads to optimal designs which are inherently insensitive to perturbations and/or randomness in the applied loads. © 2000 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc. All rights reserved.