Analysis and testing of a postbuckled stiffened panel

The suitability of using the ef cient, linear elastic design softwareVICONOPT for the analysisof a stiffened panel with a postbuckling reserve of strength is investigated. A longitudinallycompressed panel, which initially buckled in a local skin mode, was analyzed with allowance being made for the effects of an initial overall imperfection. The panel was also analyzed using the nonlinear nite element package ABAQUS, and four laboratory specimens that represent the panel were tested to failure. The similarity of the experimental failure with the VICONOPT and ABAQUS predictions indicates that VICONOPT can give satisfactory analysis results for use in preliminary design.