Date of Award
Spring 5-2008
Document Type
Thesis - Open Access
Degree Name
Master of Aerospace Engineering
Department
Aerospace Engineering
Committee Chair
James Ladesic
Committee Member
Frank Radosta
Committee Member
Frederique Drullion
Abstract
Classical methods for buckling assessment of aircraft panels reinforced by bulb-stiffened flanges differ regarding symmetric versus asymmetric cross-sections. The present research addresses a number of classical derivations of methods with a focus on the work of Dwight Windenburg as published in "The Elastic Stability of Tee Stiffeners" and the expansion of his work to asymmetric sections by E. F Bruhn in Analysis and Design of Aerospace Vehicle Structures. Vagueness in the relevance of geometric symmetry of the bulb exists between Windenburg's plate theory approach, and the accepted industry standard applications defined in the methods of Bruhn. The results presented trace the bibliographic history of sizing bulb-stiffeners to achieve the highest critical stress obtainable by the web, and verify the two sizing procedures theoretically and using Finite Element Analysis software. The results suggest that the theoretical approach presented by Windenburg is correct as stated; however the FEA results suggest that the claim made by Bruhn's and Windenburg's sizing process is inadequate.
Scholarly Commons Citation
Holt, Ryan Timothy, "An Investigation of Classical Panel Stiffener Buckling Methods for Modern Airframe Applications" (2008). Master's Theses - Daytona Beach. 86.
https://commons.erau.edu/db-theses/86
