Design optimization of anisotropic pressure vessels with manufacturing uncertainties accounted for

Accurate optimal design solutions for most engineering structures present considerable difficulties due to the complexity and multi-modality of the functional design space. The situation is made even more complex when potential manufacturing tolerances must be accounted for in the optimizing process. The present study provides an original in-depth analysis of the problem and then a new technique for determining the optimal design of engineering structures, with manufacturing tolerances accounted for, is proposed and demonstrated. The numerical examples used to demonstrate the technique involve the design optimization of anisotropic fibre-reinforced laminated pressure vessels. It is assumed that the probability of any tolerance value occurring within the tolerance band, compared with any other, is equal, and thus it is a worst-case scenario approach. A genetic algorithm with fitness sharing, including a micro-genetic algorithm, has been found to be very suitable to use, and implemented in the technique.