Improving the mechanical performances of a multilayered plate with the orientations of its layers of fibers

We consider a symmetric composite multilayered plate whose fiber orientation variesfrom a layer to another. The plate model used is that of Mindlin. We are interested indetermining the optimal fiber orientations that optimize, in the same time, two criteria:minimizing the compliance and maximizing the smallest eigenfrequency of vibration orminimizing both of the compliance and the smallest eigenfrequency or maximizing bothof the smallest eigenfrequency and the smallest buckling load. In order to optimize one ofthe above criteria, a metaheuristic algorithm of Simulated Annealing type is used. While, inthe case of optimizing two objectives, the Pareto front method is used. Numerical resultsare presented for a rectangular eight-layered plate.