A new merit function for evaluating the flaw tolerance of composite laminates

Advanced composite materials are providing notable savings in numerous aerospace and non-aerospace applications by virtue of their uniquely high strength-to-density ratio and high stiffness-to-density ratio. However, their full potential for high performance has yet to be achieved because of the low tolerance of the 'brittle' material to impact, holes, flaws, and localized discontinuities due to relatively low toughness. In the present paper a new and simple merit function is proposed for maximizing the strength performance of flawed composite laminate for different design requirement. This new merit function takes into account the flaw tolerance of a composite laminated as well as its stiffness. After development of the new merit function, an example is presented of its application to a practical laminate family.