The effective properties of a perforated elastic plate. Numerical optimization by genetic algorithm (Q5956719)

In 1998 \textit{A. V. Cherkaev, Y. Grabovsky, A. B. Movchan} and \textit{S. K. Serkov} [Int. J. Solids Struct. 35, 4391--4410 (1998; Zbl 0917.73051)] have discovered the existence of \(\mu_e\)-optimal holes - square-like inclusions which maximize the energy increment in an elastic composite with asymptotically small volume fraction of one of the constituents under shear load (and as a result maximize the shear modulus \(\mu_e\)). The Polya-Szego matrices and conformal mapping technique had been employed to derive the formulae for the contour and to check the M-equi-stress optimal conditions. This paper is an extension to the above mentioned paper: by numerical computations Author confirms that for finite (non-asymptotically small) volume fraction \(\mu_e\)-optimal holes have the square-like shape. The history of this problem starts in 1995 when \textit{Y. Grabovsky} and \textit{R. V. Kohn} [J. Appl. Mech. 62, 1063--1065 (1995; Zbl 0844.73048)] analyzed \(K\)-optimal inclusions (which maximize bulk modulus in elastic composites): For small volume fraction the \(K\)-optimal inclusion is a circle, as the volume fraction \(c_1\) increases it deforms to the Vigdergauz-type oval (figure 5a). For \(\mu_e\)-optimal inclusions situation is somewhat different, square-type geometry remains unchanged (figure 5b), but square contracts as the volume fraction decreases. It is curious if for finite volume fraction the corner angles remain equal to Carothers critical angle (\(102.6^\circ\)) or not: It has not been analyzed yet. The paper consists of 9 sections, includes 17 figures and graphs, 27 references. Section 1 is introduction and review of earlier works by Vigdergauz. Section 2 describes basic equations of elasticity, Kolosov-Muskhelishvili potentials, and boundary and quasi-periodic conditions written in terms of complex variables. Section 3 is devoted to HSGC (Hashin-Shtrikman-Gibyansky-Cherkaev) bounds and optimality conditions on M-equi-stress contour. \(K\)- and \(\mu\)-optimal holes are introduced and their properties are described. Section 4 is description of controversial genetic algorithm (GA). The author starts with ``Darwinian survival of the fittest'' (page 8601) and ends with ``the non-probabilistic elitism option'' (page 8602). Section 5 - application GA to particular optimization problem, piece-wise representation of the contour. Section 6 - fast numerical scheme. The author shows how to expand KM potentials in series of Weierstrass function and its derivatives, and derive the system of linear algebraic equations for optimization. Section 7 describes computations, and Section 8 are numerical results. Plots for distribution of tangential stresses on the boundary (figure 8 and 9) show oscillations (while stresses should be constant) and magnitude of oscillations increases with increase in volume fraction reaching the value 10-20 figure 9). Have not being satisfied with results for square periodic cell the author tries to consider hexagonal cell with two types of inclusions: optimal (figure 13a) and sub-optimal (figure 13b). Figures 14 and 15 shows that tangential stresses on the contour of ``sub-optimal'' (page 8611) holes have non-symmetric nearly random pattern. Section 9 are conclusions.