Concepedia

Abstract

An effective width approach is presented for predicting ultimate strengths of thin-walled compression elements with edge stiffeners. In conjunction with procedures for predicting ultimate strengths, a requirement for adequate stiffener rigidity is given. Stiffener adequacy is assessed as that stiffener rigidity for which the ultimate strength of an edge-stiffened element equals that of an element of similar dimensions and material properties but supported by a web at the stiffener location. Critical and post-critical behavior of the assembly are studied analytically and experimentally; however, the stiffener requirement is based primarily on the experimental results. Simple formulations for assessing the performance of the stiffener and plate elements are presented.