Thermomechanical Response Variability of Stiffened Composite Panels

Abstract

A study is made of the variability of the response of stiffened composite panels, associated with variations in the major geometric and material parameters of the structures. The major parameters, which have the most effect on the response quantities of interest, are identified by using a hierarchical sensitivity analysis. The range of variation of the response is determined by using a fuzzy set analysis, with the major parameters treated as fuzzy parameters. Numerical results are presented showing the variability of the response of panels with both continuous and terminated stiffeners associated with variations in the micromechanical, effective layer, and geometric parameters. Both flat and curved panels are considered.