Project Aims and Objectives

• Investigate the effect of stiffener cross-section and stiffener pitch on panel buckling load.
• Investigate the suitability of the Soutis-Fleck Fracture Model to stiffened panels with a stress concentrator (open hole or impact damage).
• Investigate extending the Soutis-Fleck model to accommodate delamination buckling.
• To perform a 3D finite element analysis to study the stress state developed at the stiffener flange/skin interface of a stiffened panel subjected to uniaxial compression.
• To perform six-point bending tests on small specimens to examine the flange/skin separation process.
• Compression tests of stiffened panels with open holes or impact damage and accompanying numerical analyses.