A summary of results from a numerical and expericmental study of the response of compression-loaded laboratory scale composite cylindrical shells with rectangular cutouts is presented. The numerical results are obtained using a geometrically nonlinear finite element analysis code. The effects of varying cutout size and laminate properties on the response of compression-loaded shells are described. A detailed finite element model of a selected test specimen is used to provide a more accurate representation of the actual experiment. The detailed model includes measured initial geometric imperfections, nonuniform load introduction, boundary condition nonuniformities, shell thickness variations, and material property variations. Results indicate that the nonlinear interaction between the out-of-plane deformations and in-plane stress resultants near the cutout can significantly influence the structural response of the shell. The results also indicate that these local displacements and internal load distributions can be affected by the size of the cutout and the material properties of the shell.
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