Constructive design models for the optimization of composite plates and shells

The paper presents the basic ideas of so-called constructive design models and their special formulation for the material layup and the geometry of plane and curved composite load-bearing structures (plates, shells) without and with stiffeners. Constructive models additionally facilitate the consideration of manufacturing requirements and limitations of a fully integrated tape-laying process. Within the constructive design models, the constructive layout is described by means of a parametric model which is independent from the analysis model, and constructive (geometric) parameters are defined as design variables for the optimization process instead of the commonly used analysis variables. The application of constructive design models leads to a better representation of the design variables and makes the optimization process more efficient.