Development of Generalised Boundary Conditions for the Buckling of Composite Panel

Abstract

This paper gives details of theoretical investigations into the buckling behaviour of uniformly compressed rectangular composite panel with the two unloaded edges elastically restrained. The theoretical elastic buckling analysis employs a semi-numerical approach, the finite strip method. This general method of approach is to postulate a fifth degree polynomial function which describe the buckled form of the panel. Based on the principle of minimum potential energy, the strain energies of the restraining medium along the unloaded edges are evaluated in term of matrix form. This elastic restraint stiffness matrix can be added directly onto the existing stiffness matrix. To utilize the Rayleigh-Ritz method, coefficients in the deflection series are evaluated. Hence the elastic buckling stiffness of the composite panel are obtained.