Optimization of composite beam structures using a genetic algorithm

This work examines the possibility of using a to nature adopted, stochastic search method, called genetic algorithm (GA), for optimizing the damping ability of composites.The principles and properties of GAs are briefly described, and an approach to evaluating and optimizing the factor of dampness of composites, using a specific GA combined with an existing FEM program, is given.Some results of optimizing the stacking sequences and the thicknesses of the layers, consisting of different materials, are presented as examples of composite beams in order to demonstrate the efficiency of the method.