Small Satellite Structural Optimisation Using Genetic Algorithm Approach

Recently the genetic algorithms (GAs) have become a popular optimization tool for many areas of research and topology optimization an effective design tool for obtaining efficient and lighter structures. In this paper, a versatile, robust and enhanced genetic algorithm (GA) is proposed for structural topology optimization. This method makes it possible to obtain global minimum and to avoid remaining trapped in a local minimum. We examine all of the technologies and their benefits for satellite structural designs, which lead to achieving better design by using computer-aided techniques. Numerical results show that the GA is an efficient and robust in solving the structural topology optimization problems of minimum compliance design, minimum weight design and optimal compliant mechanisms design. In this paper the optimisation was performed on small satellite. The designed geometry was modelled next and then subjected to finite element analysis (FEA) using different types of mesh under launch loads environment in order to obtain its natural frequency and to determine the maximum stresses acting on the elements of the structure. In the case of the dynamic analysis, it is about the visualization of the different 4 first modes of vibration obtained with a loading which corresponds to the launch environment (100 G in each axis). The different results show that it is perfectly possible to build the isogrid and honeycomb structures for the small satellites in order to reduce the total mass and to gain in term of cost.