Least-weight design of tow-steered composites

Automatic Fiber Placement (AFP) enables spatial variation of fiber orientation, enhancing mechanical performance compared to traditional composites. Variable Angle Tow (VAT) or Variable Stiffness Composites (VSC) optimize structural efficiency, which is crucial for lightweight aerospace structures. However, it is important to consider that limitations resulting from the manufacturing process can significantly impact the design domain available. This study proposes a mixed-integer optimization approach integrating the Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF) to minimize laminate weight while meeting frequency performance. This research aims to determine the optimal number of layers and lamination angles, considering manufacturing constraints and evaluating the impact of the selection of structural theory on the solutions.