Multi-objective optimization for designing metallic corrugated core sandwich panels under air blast loading

This research aims to improve the blast performance of trapezoidal corrugated core sandwich panel under air blast loading. A finite element model for the prediction of dynamic responses of trapezoidal corrugated core sandwich panel was first proposed and validated by experiments. Based on the simulation results, kriging models were established to approximate the relationships between design variables and blast performances, and correlation analyses were carried out to investigate the effects of the design variables on the maximum back face deflection and specific energy absorption. It is found that any decrease in maximum back face deflection would always lead to undesirable deterioration in specific energy absorption, and the correlation relationships are associated with the stand-off distance. Using the developed kriging models, multi-objective design optimization was performed to seek trade-off solutions for the trapezoidal corrugated core sandwich panel under specific and variable stand-off distances. Results show that the design on Pareto fronts depended upon stand-off distance. Comparisons of the blast performance between optimized designs and initial designs turned out that there indeed existed a great potential in performance improvement. Importantly, careful examination of the responses of the optimized designs revealed some valuable design methods which should be useful for the engineering applications of trapezoidal corrugated core sandwich panel.