Investigation of the buckling and load-bearing behaviour of selectively stitched stiffened CFRP panels under multiaxial loading

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of a selective stitching configuration on the load-bearing behaviour of stiffener-reinforced panels under compression and combined compression–shear loading. This study focuses on the interphase between the reinforcing stringers and the skin, examining both pristine and impacted specimens. Previous experimental studies at coupon level have been analysed to obtain a first optimisation for the selective stitching configuration in terms of stitching density, stitching technique, thread material and seam position. This gathered knowledge was then applied in this study to a panel structure under multiaxial loading to achieve validation at a higher level of structural complexity.