Structural optimization of composite structures with limited number of element properties

This paper investigates the weight penalty of a composite structure under strength and buckling constraints when cross‐sections are designed from a limited number of laminates. The problem is investigated for the well known ten‐bar truss structure. Results show that decreasing the number of cross‐sections from nine to four has a small impact on the weight of the structure of approximately 5.4%. Furthermore, as the number of cross‐sections increases, so does the number of critical constraints. This indicates higher probability of failure.