Abstract: Local critical buckling stress of friction stir welded stiffened panel is calculated by semi-empirical formula. In addition, finite element software ABAQUS is applied to analyze the buckling behavior of the structure. According to the calculation results, axial compress test on stiffened panel specimens is conducted to obtain the stability performance and carrying capacity of the structure. The effect of boundary condition of unloaded edges is considered. It is found that boundary condition of unloaded edges has less effect on the carrying capacity than critical buckling load of the specimens. The experiment results indicate that the structure studied has a certain post-buckling carrying capacity and the finite element method is capable to analysis the stability of the structure, which offers a referenced means for the optimization design and engineering application of the structure

Key words: ABAQUS, Finite element method, Friction stir weld, Stability, Stiffened panel