Abstract
In this paper, a thickness compensation function is introduced to consider the shear deformation and warping effect resulting from increased thickness in the composite multi-cell wing box. The thickness compensation function is used to perform the structure optimization of the multi-cell. It is determined by minimizing the error of an analytical formula using solid mechanics and the Ritz method. It is used to define a structural performance prediction expression due to the increase in thickness. The parameter is defined by the number of spars and analyzed by the critical buckling load and the limited failure index as a response. Constraints in structural optimization are composed of displacements, torsional angles, the critical buckling load, and the failure index. The objective function is the mass, and its optimization is performed using a genetic algorithm.