Skin-stiffener structures are extensively used in the aerospace field due to their structural efficiency in terms of stiffness/weight and strength/weight ratios. The application of such panels is primarily within fuselages and wing boxes, where the weight saving potential of composite materials compared with aluminum alloys is well known. However, design of composite panels involves the optimization of a large number of variables such as ply thickness and plate widths. Further complication arises when the expert knowledge required for laminate design is considered and when the panel is...