Design Optimization of Honeycomb Core Configurations for Effective Transverse Shear Stiffness

Based on a combined multi-objective optimization and homogenization approach, effective transverse shear moduli of composite honeycomb cores are optimized, from which the corresponding optimum core configurations are obtained. The effective transverse shear stiffnesses of three typical honeycomb cores (i.e., sinusoidal, hexagonal, and tubular) are predicted using a two-scale homogenization technique, and a multi-objective method is then employed to obtain optimal designs of periodic cellular cores. The optimization problem is solved using a sequential quadratic programming algorithm. An optimization procedure using finite element analysis and a response surface algorithm is also conducted to verify the proposed approach. The present multi-objective optimization approach combined with the explicit prediction of transverse shear stiffness from homogenization can be effectively used to maximize transverse shear material properties of composite honeycomb structures.