The research of buckling and post-buckling behavior of bidirectional stiffened composite panel under discrete impact

PurposeIn this paper, an attempt is made to obtain buckling loads, ultimate bearing capacity and other required structural characteristics of grid structure panels. The numerical method for post-buckling behavior analysis of panels involving multiple invisible damages is also presented.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, two bidirectional stiffened composite panels are manufactured and tested. Multiple discrete invisible damages are introduced in different positions of the stringers, and the experimental and simulation investigation of buckling and post-buckling were carried out on the damaged stiffened panels.FindingsThe simulation load–displacement curves are compared with the experimental results, and it is found that the simulation model can well predict the occurrence of buckling and failure loads. The strain curve shows that the rate of strain change at the damaged site is greater than that at the undamaged site, which reflects that the debond is more likely occurred at the damaged site. The simulation verifies that the panel is usually crushed due to matrix compression and fiber–matrix shear.Originality/valueIn this paper, post-buckling tests and numerical simulations of bidirectional stiffened composite panels with impact damage were carried out. Two panels with four longitudinal stringers and two transverse stringers were manufactured and tested. The buckling and post-buckling characteristics of the grid structure are obtained, and the failure mechanism of the structure is explained. This is helpful for the design of wall panel structure.