A Photoelastic Investigation of the Effect of Cutouts in Panels Subject to Shear and Bending

Citation

Tyra, Thomas Donald and Hollister, William Wallace (1941) A Photoelastic Investigation of the Effect of Cutouts in Panels Subject to Shear and Bending. Engineer's thesis, California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/Q4B3-CJ36. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-11172008-105645

Abstract

In the design of modern aircraft many structural problems have arisen which are not subject to a simple analysis. Although the usual formulas of elasticity apply, their application becomes too cumbersome for practical use. A problem of this type is the determination of stresses around openings or cutouts. Thus, in monocoque construction there are openings for doors, windows, hatches, etc. Frames and bulkheads are pierced for the passage of conduits, ducts, or other members. In many of these cases, no formal determinations of the stresses can be made. It is well known, however, that stress concentrations do occur at reentrant corners, openings, etc. It was the purpose of this investigation to determine by photoelastic means the amount of this stress concentration, and how it varied in intensity under different conditions of loading, and with various types of openings.

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