STRENGTH OF STIFFENED PLATING UNDER COMBINED COMPRESSION AND LATERAL PRESSURE

Abstract

A numerical procedure is described for evaluation of the collapse and post-collapse behaviour of stiffened plating under combined compression and lateral load. An elasto-plastic, continuous beam-column model is employed, accounting for imperfections in plating and stiffeners and for local buckling and yield of the plating. Failure is assumed to occur by inelastic flexural buckling of stiffened panels between transverse frames: alternative failure modes, involving lateral-torsional buckling of the stringers or overall grillage buckling, are assumed to be suppressed by suitable proportioning of the stiffeners. Data curves are developed which allow quick and accurate evaluation of the compressive strength of stiffened panels, possibly influenced by lateral pressure, for a wide range of structural geometries. Panels with tee-bar and flat-bar stiffeners are considered. Data curves are correlated with the results of tests on two series of orthogonally stiffened welded steel panels. Some simple guidelines are suggested for ensuring high compressive strength, coupled with low imperfection sensitivity and a favourable post-collapse characteristic.