A review on optimization of composite structures Part I: Laminated composites

Abstract Composite, sandwich and functionally graded materials are frequently utilized for different applications. Thus, numerous optimization studies have been conducted on structures made up of these materials to improve their mechanical or thermal behavior such as buckling resistance, stiffness and strength along with reducing weight, cost and stress under various types of loadings. This work which is the first part of two sequential review papers attempts to review most of the studies carried out from 2000 on optimizing composite structures by representing a classification based on the type of structures. Important parameters of these optimization approaches namely objective functions, design variables, constraints and the applied algorithms are highlighted. The influential factors including boundary conditions, orientation of curved fibers, piezo electric patches, Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) fibers and stiffeners as well as the effect of design variables on the determined objectives are also noticed. Moreover, the examined outperformance of developed algorithms in case of accuracy and pace over their common counterparts is mentioned. The second part will be allocated to the publications on optimization of sandwich and functionally graded structures.