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Abstract
The design of the stacking sequence for a composite laminate involves a set of discrete variables (plymaterial and ply orientation), and is thus well-suited to genetic algorithms for design optimization. Such algorithms have typically been custom-designed in FORTRAN 77 to suit specific optimization problems. Fortran 90 is a modern, powerful language with features that support important programming concepts, including those used in object-oriented programming. The Fortran 90 genetic algorithm module is used to define genetic data types, the functions which use these data types, and to provide a general framework for solving composite laminate structure design problems. The language's support of abstract data types is used to build genetic structures such as populations, subpopulations, individuals, chromosomes, and genes, and these data types are combined and manipulated by module subroutines. The use of abstract data types and long variable names makes the code useful and easily understood, while dynamic memory allocation makes the module flexible enough to be used in design problems of varying size and specification.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]