Optimum buckling design of compression panels using VICONOPT

The structural efficiency of a range of panels under uniaxial compression is investigated using the optimum buckling design program VICONOPT. The design uses very efficient VIPASA analysis to guard against all possible modes of failure, together with a tailored sizing strategy. The panels all have nine blades, zed or hat stiffeners and between three and fifteen design variables, covering traditional design using one size of stiffener and more sophisticated design with five sizes of stiffener. Results show that using two stiffener sizes or two stiffener types in alternate positions across the panel width can produce mass savings of up to 30% compared with traditional design. Convergence on an optimum normally occurs within six sizing cycles, but up to twelve sizing cycles are required for sophisticated designs when the initial configuration is poorly chosen. Computational efficiency and material strength constraints are also considered.