Finite Element Stability Analysis of Stiffened Plates

by Odysseas Xydakis

Diploma Thesis, September 2003

ABSTRACT

The work focuses on the structural stability of unstiffened and stiffened plates under axial compression, as well as on the post-buckling behavior. The first part concerns the analysis of unstiffened rectangular plates with various boundary conditions, where analytical or semi-analytical solutions exist. The analytical results are compared with results from FE program ABAQUS. Subsequently, using ABAQUS, stiffened plates are modeled and buckled under axial compression. Emphasis is given on the influence of initial imperfections. In addition, the post-buckling behavior is examined. Finally, the numerical results are compared with the recent provisions of Eurocode 3 part 1.5 (ENV 1993-1.5)

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