A reliability method for optimization of [+ρ,-ρ]n fiber reinforced composite pipes

This paper presents damage strength optimization of laminates using a reliability-based method. Two complementary analyses are developed: the first is a mechanical analysis of damage behavior using a thermodynamics framework that determines the failure criterion; the second is a reliability method which takes not only randomness, but also statistical uncertainties into account for failure probability calculation. This method is based on a first order reliability method that requires the resolution of a constrained problem of optimization. To solve this problem, a hybrid algorithm, combining evolutionary computation techniques with deterministic procedure is presented. Filament-wound pipe optimization under pressure is discussed as a working example. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.