CFRP fuselage structures - postbuckling permitted

CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced plastics) fuselage structures are expected to be realized with future generations of aircraft. Going into the postbuckling regime with these structures requires improved, fast and reliable procedures for analysis and design of stiffened fibre composite panels. The EC project POSICOSS, which was started in the year 2000, develops such procedures. This article deals with the main objectives of the project, the theoretical and experimental work to be carried out, and with first results.