In the present study, the stress analysis of thin-walled glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) cylindrical shells with and without cutout subjected to axial loading was carried out by using experimental and finite-element method. The effect of cutout type on the stress distribution of the shell was described. In the experimental procedure electrical strain gauges were used to measure the experimental strain at specific point of the structure. Finite-element analysis was included in a static analysis that predicts stress distribution and a buckling analysis that predicts the local buckling response of the models. The results illustrated that the stress concentration factor was completely related to cutout position on grid-stiffened shells. In particular, a local buckling response occurred in the shell near the cutout edge where the maximum stress gradient was reported. In addition, it has been concluded that stiffeners have good influence on reducing the stress concentration and changing the direction of the destructive loads on the shell.

Key words: Stress analysis, cutout, stiffened shells, composite shells, stress concentration factor (SCF).