Optimal design of panel with trapezoidal type stiffeners was studied using linear and nonlinear deformation theories. Also analysis method was using closed-form analysis and finite difference energy methods, respectively. Various bucking load factors are obatined for stiffened laminated composite panel with trapezoidal type stiffeners and various aspect ratios, which are made from Carbon/Epoxy USN 125 prepreg and are simply-supported on four edges under uniaxial compression. Optimal design analyses are carried out by the nonlinear search optimizer, ADS.