Local Buckling of Outstands in Stiffened Plates

Abstract

SummaryThis paper reports on an investigation of the effect of local elastic buckling of stiffener outstands on the overall behaviour of stiffened plates. A simplified mathematical model has been developed, based on the post-buckling analysis of the stiffener, and gives a simple expression which indicates that, for the plate geometry investigated, the maximum load carried varies asymptotically between the local critical load of the stiffener and a reduced Euler load. Also, there is a marked imperfection sensitivity arising from the interaction of the local and overall buckling modes. Experiments were carried out to confirm the analytical prediction for the elastic buckling behaviour of the stiffened plates. The models were constructed of Araldite, to allow large deformation within the elastic strain range. Experimental results showed very good agreement with the theory.