In the present paper an improved genetic algorithm (GA) based linear quadratic regulator (LQR) control scheme has been proposed for active vibration control of smart fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite shell structures under combined mechanical and thermal loading. A layered shell finite element formulation has been done to obtain the electro-thermo-mechanical response of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite shell structures bonded with piezoelectric patches. Based on the responses obtained from finite element analysis, a real coded GA based improved LQR control scheme has been incorporated, which maximizes the closed loop damping while keeping the actuator voltages within limit. It has been observed that the developed FE code can be used for determination of the accurate response of smart FRP shell structures for the simulation of active vibration control of such structures. The proposed GA based LQR control scheme could control both dynamic oscillation due to mechanical load as well as the static displacement due to a thermal gradient, which was not possible with conventional LQR control scheme.