Optimization of A Composite Drive Shaft for an Automobile Using Genetic Algorithm Approach

This paper focused on the Optimum design of the composite drive shaft for an automobile. For optimum design of the composite drive shaft, Weight reduction taken as an objective function and the design variables such as Number of plies, thickness of ply and Stacking of sequence subjected to constraints namely Torque transmission of the capacity, Buckling torque capacity of the shaft and Lateral fundamental natural frequency. Since it is a single objective function with constraints is very difficult to optimize using conventional optimization techniques, used non- Traditional optimization techniques called Genetic Algorithm.

Non-Traditional algorithms are very difficult to solve manually, solutions for the Non-Traditional methods can be obtained by computerizing algorithms using “C’’ Language. The results are calculated by using “C’’Language for three composite materials namely E-Glass/Epoxy, HS Carbon/Epoxy and HM Carbon/Epoxy.