Isogeometric design of anisotropic shells: Optimal form and material distribution

The present communication introduces a non-uniform rational B-splines based isogeometric design framework for thin-walled composite shells. The framework is aimed at optimising the form and the material anisotropy distribution either in separate or simultaneous fashions. Fundamental elements of isogeometric shell design are introduced. Analytical discrete sensitivity calculus is presented and the formulation of convex conservative approximations, utilised to solve the structural shape and sizing optimisation problems, are discussed in great detail. The design approach is verified considering buckling load factor and structural stiffness maximisation problems.