Structural rigidity optimization of thin laminated shells

In this work, we present an optimization methodology used in order to optimize laminated composite shell structures with variable stiffness. Considering the maximization of the structural global rigidity measured by the compliance, a topology optimization problem of the anisotropy fields for thin laminated plates as well as the associated optimization algorithm are extended to thin laminated shells. Numerical examples with quasi-homogeneous angle-ply stacking sequences showing the optimization methodology feasibility are presented.