Comparison of the Post-Buckling Behavior of Metallic and Composite Plates withCentrally Located Cutouts

摘要

An experimental investigation of the post-buckling characteristics of aluminum,graphite/epoxy, and graphite/PEEK square flat panels with centrally located circular holes is presented. The stability, post-buckling, ultimate strength, and energy absorption behavior of 0.08 inch thick aluminum panels were compared to that of composite plates with a stacking sequence of (-45/0/45/90/-45/45/-45/45)s for hole diameter to panel width ratios of 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, and 0.7. A post-buckling test fixture was designed and developed to examine compressive buckling, post-buckling, and failure mechanisms of the panels. Results indicate that both the metallic and composite panels have significant post-buckling strengths and load-carrying capabilities well beyond their initial buckling deformations. However, the presence of a circular cutout reduces the post-buckling strength of the plate but could actually increase the critical buckling load.