Minimum Weight Design of Stiffened Cylinders and Cylindrical Panels under Combined Loads.

Abstract : This report is divided into two parts, Parts A and B. In Part A, a methodology is presented for the minimum weight design of stiffened cylinders under combined loads of torsion, uniform axial compression and pressure. A number of illustrative examples are included in order to demonstrate the methodology. In addition, the listing of the developed computer program is included and thus those interested in the program can easily use it. In Part B, a methodology is presented for the minimum weight design of stiffened curved plates under combined shear with uniaxial or biaxial compression. This methodology is illustrated through a number of examples. At the end of this second part a complete listing of the developed computer programs is included along with the associated flow charts for data preparation. The load cases considered in both parts are representative of the worst possible load cases of destabilizing loads that an aircraft fuselage is expected to encounter. The methods developed represent a fully automated design procedure for that portion of the fuselage which is designed primarily against general instability.