Dimensioning of Orthotropically Stiffened Cfrp Shells of Large Launch Vehicles for Load Introduction and Stability

The dimensioning of an orthotropically stiffened cylindrical CFRP shell subjected to the introduction of concentrated axial loads using rapid analytical methods is presented. For stress calculation the shell equations are simplified by applying the semibending theory and integrated by employing the transfer matrix method. Analytical approaches are used for stability verification. The dimensioning considers required constraints in the force flux distribution, strength of the laminate, general instability, panel instability (from ring frame to ring frame) and local instability. The rapid analytical methods allow mass optimization. The final design is confirmed by detailed FE analysis. A comparison of the FE analysis with the analytical results is shown.