An open-source computational framework for optimization of laminated composite plates

In the present paper, a flexible framework is developed for the optimization of composite laminate plates. In this framework, an optimization algorithm is employed to find the optimal stacking sequence design of the FE models by interfacing the Abaqus solver with MATLAB through a Python script. The Python script submits dimension, orientation, and diameter of the cutout combinations to Abaqus/CAE. The performance of the codes is validated by applying them to several problems of previous research. Three distinct types of boundary conditions, namely CCCC, SCSC, and SSSS, with different geometries comprising a square and rectangular plates with and without cutouts, are considered as optimal design problems. Besides that, analyses are performed on new symmetrical composites with 16 and 80 plies. The framework is equipped with the GA for optimizing the fiber orientations and maximizing the buckling capacities. The results are comprehensively discussed, showing a reasonable agreement with the literature. This code can easily be used by scientists and industry professionals as an automated tool for optimizing different finite element models and using any arbitrary optimization algorithm.