What is meant by "skin buckling" in aircraft structures?

Skin buckling in aircraft structures refers to a deformation that occurs when the skin or surface of an aircraft component, such as a wing or fuselage, is subjected to compressive loads. In this context, the skin is typically a thin, flat panel that forms part of the load-bearing structure. When these compressive forces exceed the critical buckling load of the skin material, it can lead to a sudden deformation, creating a localized bending or warping of the surface. This phenomenon is critical to understand in the design and analysis of aircraft structures since it can affect the aircraft's structural integrity, performance, and safety.

Skin buckling is a significant consideration in aerospace engineering because engineers must ensure that structures can withstand the various loads experienced during flight without undergoing such deformations. This includes understanding the material properties, thickness, and geometry of the panels to predict and prevent failure.