The Effective Use of Experimental and Numerical Data for Validating Simplified Expressions of Stiffened Steel Panel Ultimate Compressive Strength

Abstract

To study the accuracy of simplified formulations for prediction of the ultimate strength of longitudinally stiffened panels under uniaxial compression, the preferred approach is to compare them with available experimental data or numerical results from more sophisticated analysis procedures. Such studies are necessary in the development of both design code calibrations and reliability analysis procedures. Existing experimental data and numerical results useful for this purpose are first collected. Salient features of existing design formulations for compressive strength are then reviewed. Selected formulations are compared with the experimental data/numerical results. It is illustrated that there can be a significant amount of scatter in strength estimates by any one formulation and among formulations. The reasons for such scatter are discussed, with the emphasis on the collapse mode(s) involved, the effective width of plating, initial imperfections, and rotational restraints due to stiffening. The experimental and numerical strength data collected are documented for convenience of future use by other investigators.