Optimization of flutter boundaries of cantilevered trapezoidal functionally graded sandwich plates

As a useful tool for designing wings and tail fins of aircrafts, this paper presents an optimization for flutter characteristics of cantilevered functionally graded sandwich plates. The plate is composed of an isotropic homogeneous core and two functionally graded face sheets. The plate is modeled based on the first-order shear deformation theory. The aerodynamic pressure is estimated using supersonic piston theory and using Hamilton's principle, the set of governing equations and boundary conditions are then derived. Applying a transformation of coordinates, governing equations and boundary conditions are converted and solved numerically by differential quadrature method. Natural frequencies, damping ratio, corresponding mode shapes, critical aerodynamic pressure, and flutter frequency are calculated. In order to achieve an optimum design, particle swarm optimization is employed to find the best values of aspect ratio, thickness of the plate, thickness of the core, power law index, and angles of the plate which increase critical aerodynamic pressure. Some constrains on the angles of the plate and its mass and area (lift force) are also considered