An experimental study of ultimate compressive strength of transversely stiffened aluminium panels

An experimental investigation was carried out to determine the ultimate strength of welded stiffened aluminium panels in alloy 6082 T6 subjected to in-plane compressive loads normal to the directions of the stiffeners. This load case is not treated in the European standard for aluminium structures, Eurocode 9. A total of 21 panel specimens with various side aspect ratios and both open and closed stiffener sections were tested in a purpose made test rig. Great care was taken to ensure the rig gave very precise boundary conditions. The panels were manufactured by metal inert gas arc welding and friction stir welding. An extensive measurement program was carried out to determine the distribution of material strength and initial geometric imperfections. Small imperfection amplitudes were found. Tensile tests revealed variation in material properties, but the strength values were on average higher than the values stated in Eurocode 9. The panels failed by two different deformation modes; global flexural buckling and local buckling of the plate elements between the stiffeners.