Author(s)

A. Gibson, M. Price

Abstract

The application of finite element methods to the analysis of welded aircraft fuselage panels A. Gibson, M. Price School of Aeronautical Engineering, The Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland Abstract In a design and test project aimed at investigating the compressive buckling strength of welded aluminium alloy fuselage panels, analyses were performed using conventional stressing methods incorporating modifications to allow for the loss of strength which occurs in the heat-affected-zone (HAZ) which surrounds a weld made in this material. Due to inherent conservatism and necessary simplifications, it was not possible to determine if the modified analysis methods were valid or accurate. In light of this, simple FE analysis methods were also used to predict the strength and behaviour of the test specimens used in the project and, thus, to determine if FE methods offer the potential for more accurate analysis of this type of structure or even the potential as a first cut desi

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