Optimal design of axisymmetric filament wound structures based on semi-geodesic path algorithm

Abstract

In this paper, an optimal design procedure was suggested for axisymmetric filament wound structures under internal pressure. In the filament winding process, which is a popular technique for producing composite structures, a fiber bundle is placed on a rotating and removable mandrel. The process is consequently applied mainly to the manufacture of axisymmetric structures. The trajectory of the fiber path and the corresponding fiber angles cannot be chosen arbitrarily because of the stability requirement. The fiber path instability induced by the fiber slippage on a mandrel surface is too complicated to be predicted because it is affected by many parameters such as temperature, mandrel shape, fiber-resin combination, and surface treatment. So far, the results of the finite element analysis have been used only to understand the structural characteristics of filament wound structures because of the application of limited path equations to the analysis. Although finite element analysis is helpful for designing filament wound structures, most of the design and manufacturing of filament wound structures have been based on manufacturing experience and experiments. Thus, most designs have not been optimized to account for filament wound structures. Establishing an optimal design method for axisymmetric filament wound structures is therefore necessary. Such a method should do the following: improve finite element analysis, imply an adequate optimal design technique, consider manufacturing conditions and propose efficient designs. In the present study, the semi-geodesic path algorithm for filament wound structures was established. For this algorithm, the formulations of the winding angle and thickness were presented, and a numerical method of verifying the windability was explained. The path algorithm was verified through several representative applications of filament wound structures, And, finite element analysis of axisymmetric filament wound structures was performed ...