Optimization of Thermal Protection Panels Subjected to Intense Heating and Mechanical Loading

Abstract

In this work we solve a higly-nonlinear structural optimization problem for the sandwich panel with external thermal protection layer that can be used in the spacecraft systems. Objective function of the problem is the mass per unit area of the panel. Constraints are formulated based on the simplified analytical solutions of structural mechanics and heat transfer problems, which are suitable for the preliminary design considerations. The set of design variables includes the geometric parameters of the panel and additional microstructural parameter—porosity of the heat protection material. Direct random search and simulated annealing method are applied to solve considered problem. Change of limit states and optimal configurations of the panel are studied for different levels of the mechanical loading.