Analytical method for projecting the buckling form of composite palates with a cut-out

The work focused on the original concept of a thin-walled plate element with a cutout, for use as a spring or a load-bearing element. The subject of the study were rectangular plates with a cut-out with variable geometrical parameters and with a variable angle of fibre arrangement, made of a carbon-epoxy composite with high strength properties in an asymmetrical lay-up, subjected to uniform compression. The paper presents a method of predicting the buckling form of composite plates with a cut-out ensuring the stable nature of the structure's work. The influence of geometrical parameters of the cut-out and the angle of fibre arrangement on the value of the critical load of the structure and buckling form was investigated. The commercial ABAQUS programme using the finite element method was used to develop the discrete model and perform numerical calculations. (paper)