Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 July 2016
Determination of the cross-sectional dimensions of panels of least weight typically follows the procedure set out by D. J. Farrar in this JOURNAL 20 years ago. Farrar made the assumption that for panels of least weight the flexural and local instability stresses were coincident. Using this he investigated the Z-section stringer-skin combination and later, using the same method, E. J. Catchpole studied the panel having unflanged integral stiffeners. In both cases the panel is treated as a wide strut, i.e. the flexural buckling load was taken to be the Euler buckling load, no account being taken of the effect of edge restraint.