Multiobjective design of laminated cylindrical shells for maximum torsional and axial buckling loads

Abstract The multiobjective design of a symmetrically laminated shell is obtained with the objectives defined as the maximization of the axial and torsional buckling loads. The ply angle is taken as the optimizing variable and the performance index is formulated as the weighted sum of individual objectives in order to obtain Pareto optimal solutions of the design problem. Single objective design results are obtained and compared with the multiobjective design. The effect of weighting factors on the optimal design is investigated. Results are given illustrating the dependence of the optimal fibre angle and performance index on the cylinder length, radius and wall thickness.