Monocoque Stability in Compression: The Case of Buckling in Long Waves in an Unsupported Length of Panel

IN R. & M. 1679 and AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING, December, 1935, the author gave certain expressions for the stable loads which a stiffened‐skin panel, flat or curved, was capable of carrying without collapse by buckling. As regards the curved panel, it was there implicitly assumed that waving over relatively long lengths was impossible, because of the presence of rigid bulkheads or similar supports at intervals. While this will normally be the case in practice, it may happen that in some part of the structure a long length of panel remains without support other than that given to it by the ordinary frames and stringers. As this will tend to reduce the buckling load, it seems desirable to complete the theory to include the case of buckling in long waves.