Multi-objective optimisation of vehicle bodies made of FRP sandwich structures

An optimisation methodology is developed and applied on a FRP sandwich body of an electric vehicle – ZBee, where single-objective and multi-objective optimisation studies are performed stepwise using a commercially available software package. The single-objective optimisation allows the identification of the load paths within the composite body, according to the loading conditions previously defined. Within the multi-objective optimisation, the optimum thickness and distribution for each of the layers that form the composite body are searched within the design space so as to obtain the best performance with respect to weight, material cost, global and local stiffness. Strength requirements are also considered as constraints within the optimisation. A conflict situation appears when several objectives are considered within the optimisation, meaning that an increased performance in one objective may often lead to a decreased performance for the others. Therefore, a trade-off between objectives is needed. The interpretation of results is partially made by using trade-off plots, the so-called Pareto frontiers. A method for the overall selection of the most beneficial solutions is proposed and applied in order to choose between the best obtained solutions according to the importance of the objectives.