DAMAGE TOLERANCE PREDICTIONS FOR STIFFENED COMPOSITE PANELS .2. APPLICATION OF A FAILURE CRITERIA

An analysis method suitable for prediction of the residual strength of a stiffened composite panel containing a center crack is presented. T he analysis is based on the superposition of anisotropic elasticity so lutions for an infinite plate. Strength predictions are made for two p anel configurations and compared with experimental data. Reasonable co mparisons between predictions and data are obtained for a panel with r elatively small tear straps and little crack tip damage growth prior t o final failure. However, the model shows some unconservative predicti ons for a panel with relatively large tear scraps and crack tip damage growth.