The application of mathematical programming techniques to the stability analysis of plate/stiffener assemblies

In this paper, Mathematical Programming Technique is employed for stability analysis of multi-stiffened plates under combined in-plane loadings. As a first stage, a literature review for the numerical methods used for the analysis of the structure is presented. The mathematical formulation of the problem is then shown. Accuracy of the numerical algorithm is then checked with the solutions of other numerical techniques like Finite Element and Finite Strip Methods. Results are then presented illustrating the behaviour of the structure. The transition from the various buckling modes by changing the plate/stiffener proportions for various stiffening configurations is shown. Also, the influence of the stiffener spacing for plates under pure in-plane bending on the buckling behaviour of the plate is shown. Finally, efficiency of the described algorithm is compared with other numerical methods that are commonly used for stability analysis of multi-stiffened plates.