On the theory of optimal, constant thickness, fibre-reinforced plates

The work of previous investigators in the field of absolute optimal design of laterally loaded fibre reinforced plates is briefly reviewed and a further approach to the problem is outlined. This further approach suggests that the problem is essentially one-dimensional and consists in determining the optimum load carrying (load-path) directions at all points in the plate. Optimal fibre layouts for square, rectangular and triangular plates with both simply supported and clamped edges are given and some errors in previous work are noted.