Abstract: This article investigates problems of flutter analysis with thermal effect and multi-objective optimization design of a laminated composite panel that takes into consideration variations of flow yaw angle. A finite element formulation of the composite panel flutter, which can account for the effect of the flow yaw angle, is established using the Von-Karman large deflection plate theory, the quasi-steady theory of thermal stress and the first-order piston aerodynamics. The thermal flutter speeds of the panel under yawed flow are obtained by means of a simulated annealing optimization algorithm. A multi-objective optimization design subjected to the constraints on the critical buckling temperature is conducted, in which the maximum thermal flutter speed under yawed flow and minimum weight of panels are taken as the objective function. The results show that the thermal effect is able to produce a transition phenomenon in panel flutter under yawed flow, and that the corresponding flow yaw angle also changes. On condition that the thermal flutter modes are kept unchanged, the thermal flutter speed of the panel under yawed flow decreases approximately linearly as the temperature rises; whereas if the thermal flutter modes change, the flutter speed first increases and then decreases as the temperature rises, which exhibits a nonlinear relationship between flutter speed and temperature elevation. It is seen that the tradeoff between the multi-objective functions which are associated with the Pareto sets is linear.

Key words: panel flutter, thermal flutter, panel flutter speed under yawed flow, simulated annealing algorithm, multi-objective optimization