On the determination of mechanical properties of composite laminates using genetic algorithms

This paper describes a method which combines finite element analysis and genetic algorithms (GAs) for identifying the elastic constants of composite laminates by using vibration test data. A procedure updates the elastic constants in a numerical model so that the output from the numerical code fits the results from vibration testing. In this approach, the elastic constants can be readily identified in a single test without damaging the structure. The GA, developed on a personal computer using the language MATLAB, applies the general-purpose numerical code MSC-NASTRAN to carry out the modal analysis.