Multi-Objective Thermal and Structural Optimization of Potted Inserts in Composite Sandwich Panels for Mass Transit Vehicles

This paper was produced for the 2019 NAFEMS World Congress in Quebec Canada

Resource Abstract

Within this paper, a non-conventional partially potted sandwich insert is studied to evaluate the mechanical and thermal insulation performance. A multi-objective optimization problem is setup to explore the design space, and simultaneously try to minimize the mass and maximize the thermal insulation capacity, while constraining solutions to be within the failure envelope of the materials used. The model contains several interacting areas of contact, that prior to the most recent releases of the simulation software used, have not been possible to compute. The results show that no single optimal solution exists, but rather a pareto front of optimal solutions can be found and a trade-off between mechanical and thermal performance must be made.