Equivalent thickness bending analogy for integrally stiffened structures

摘要

A method is disclosed for developing the contour of tools employed for forming members exhibiting complex shapes. The members may be precipitation, heat treatable, metals or metal alloys which are age formed, although they be of any material which exhibits a relationship between a strain applied by a forming tool, or otherwise, and a resulting strain after release of the applied strain. The resulting member may be formed to the desired contour as a result of exposure to an elevated temperature but the member may also be cold formed. The invention is particularly concerned with a methodology for simplifying the analysis of integrally stiffened structures of complex shape. The method of the invention assures proper results on the first occasion the tool is used, thereby resulting in considerable savings of labor and material.