Analysis of welding influences on extruded aluminum panel buckling

Extruded aluminum panels are increasingly used in the marine industry, owing to the high strength-to-weight ratio and less welding paths. However, sensitivity to the welding makes it difficult to predict the structural resistance in the design stage with existed analytical formulations. It is therefore necessary to resort to numerical investigation. In this study, a previously developed numerical model that takes into account the welding effects is used to simulate the buckling behavior of extruded aluminum panels. Buckling of panels with two stiffener types, open (L-shaped) and closed (trapezoid), are investigated. The ultimate load sensitivity with respect to welding effects including different patterns, imperfection fields and amplitudes are discussed. Through comparison with design rules, the applicability of existed closed form methods is discussed. Regarding the ultimate load prediction of extruded aluminum panels, suggestions related to imperfection field introduction are addressed. The simulations can be further used as a foundation for development of improved analytical formulations.