Multi objective optimization of a composite drive shaft using a particle swarm algorithm

This paper is about the design of a composite driveshaft which is optimized based on the filament orientation angles and stacking sequence. The Tsai-Wu first ply failure index, natural bending frequencies and critical buckling torque are considered when obtaining the optimum filament orientation angle for each ply. The ply thickness and number of layers are not allowed to vary in the study. The only design parameter is taken as the filament orientation angle of each ply. The main problem is the maximization of three objective functions as critical buckling torque, natural bending frequency and Tsai-Wu first ply failure index. As a result of the optimization study, many variations of filament orientation angles and stacking sequence are obtained and the results are discussed.