Anti-crippling element stiffener and associated methods

A method of stiffening a flange of a wing stringer to prevent crippling of the flange during forming of the wing stringer, said method comprising:

• attaching an anti-crippling strap to one side of the flange of the wing stringer;
• and
• forming the wing stringer while the anti-crippling strap is attached to the flange, further comprising attaching a second anti-crippling strap to another side of the flange of the wing stringer.

A method of stiffening a rib of a panel to prevent crippling of the rib during forming of the panel, said method comprising:

• attaching an anti-crippling stiffener to the rib;
• forming the panel while the anti-crippling stiffener is attached to the rib, wherein the anti-crippling stiffener provides a cap over the rib.

A method of stiffening a rib of a panel to prevent crippling of the rib during forming of the panel, said method comprising:

• attaching an anti-crippling stiffener to the rib;
• forming the panel while the anti-crippling stiffener is attached to the rib, further comprising using a set screw and a turn buckle to attach the anti-crippling stiffener to the rib.

A method of stiffening a rib of a panel to prevent crippling of the rib during forming of the panel, said method comprising:

• attaching an anti-crippling stiffener to the rib;
• forming the panel while the anti-crippling stiffener is attached to the rib, further comprising using a clamp to attach the anti-crippling stiffener to the rib, wherein the step of attaching an anti-crippling stiffener to the rib comprises having the clamp contact two anti-crippling stiffeners to sandwich the rib between the two anti-crippling stiffeners.