Stiffened plates subject to transverse loading (Q580026)

The generalized conditions under which stiffened plates can be approximated as a two-dimensional continuum are investigated and identified. A simplified set of constitutive equations defining the full class of problems described above, subject to elastic behaviour, are then obtained by making suitable assumptions. The significance of these assumptions is investigated under a wide range of conditions, and the results calculated for typical problems using the simple theory compared with experimentally obtained values. The simple theory is then amended to allow consistently for the effects due to Poisson's ratio in the stiffeners. A study of the resulting equations indicates that whilst the normal assumption of centroidal neutral axes is justified under all conditions, the additional strain energy generated in the stiffeners can be significant, and that under the assumption of centroidal neutral axes this is readily included in the formulation without penalty. Shear effects other than those due to St. Venant torsion are not considered in the detailed analysis.