Optimal design of composite thin-walled beams using simulated annealing

•We present an optimal design scheme of thin-walled composite beams.•A theoretical model is developed for the analysis of thin-walled composite beams.•The objective function relates the buckling load capacity and the weight of the beam.•Simulated Annealing method is implemented.

In this paper, a problem formulation and solution methodology for optimal design of thin-walled composite beams is presented. The aim is to maximize the buckling load capacity and minimize the weight of the beam. For this purpose, a theoretical model is developed for the analysis of thin-walled composite beams under a state of arbitrary initial stresses. In order to find the optimal solution, Simulated Annealing method is implemented. Design variables are taken as the stacking sequences of laminate and the dimensions of the cross-section. The space of feasible solutions is constrained by strength, displacements, global and local buckling and geometric conditions.