FRACTURE-ANALYSIS OF A STIFFENED ORTHOTROPIC SHEET

The stress intensity factors and energy release rates are determined f or cracked orthotropic sheets with riveted stiffeners. A closed form s olution is used and the approach adopted is based on compatibility of displacements among the sheet, fasteners and stiffeners. The analysis is conducted within the limitations of elasticity theory. A one-bay cr ack and a two-bay crack with center stiffener either intact or broken are studied in the analysis. The results obtained from the analytical method are compared with finite element results. Good agreement of the se results proves the validity of the present method.