Optimal Design of Piezolaminated Structures Using B-Spline Finite Strip Models and Genetic Algorithms

Abstract
In this work, a set of numerical models is developed using the B-spline finite strip approach for linear analysis of piezolaminated plates and shells with particular focus to box girder type structures. These models are linked to global optimization techniques, such as genetic algorithms, which may consider either binary or floating point encoding of design variables, along with the inherent particularities of genetic operators at implementation level. Examples are discussed to illustrate the performance of these models.