Design optimisation of braided composite beams for lightweight rail structures using machine learning methods

Singh, A. and Gu, Z. and Hou, X. and Liu, Y. and Hughes, D.J. (2022) Design optimisation of braided composite beams for lightweight rail structures using machine learning methods. Composite Structures, 282: 115107. ISSN 0263-8223

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Abstract

Braided composites have seen substantial industrial uptake for structural applications in the past decade. The dependence of their properties on braid angle provides opportunities for lightweighting through structure-specific optimisation. This paper presents an integrated approach, combining finite element (FE) simulations and a genetic algorithm (GA) to optimise braided beam structures in the spaceframe chassis of a rail vehicle. The braid angle and number of layers for each beam were considered as design variables. A set of 200 combinations of these variables were identified using a sampling strategy for FE simulations. The results were utilised to develop a surrogate model using genetic programming (GP) to correlate the design variables with structural mass and FE-predicted chassis displacements under standard loads. The surrogate model was then used to optimise the design variables using GA to minimise mass without compromising mechanical performance. The optimised design rendered approximately 15.7% weight saving compared to benchmark design.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Composite Structures
Additional Information:
This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Composite Strutures. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Composite Structures, 282, 2022 DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2021.115107
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2200/2205
Subjects:
?? braided compositesdesign optimisationfinite element analysisgenetic algorithmgenetic programminglightweightingbenchmarkingchassiscomposite materialsfinite element methodmachine learningstructural optimizationcomposite beamdesign optimizationdesign variabl ??
ID Code:
175686
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
08 Sep 2022 13:10
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
14 Sep 2024 00:50