04.19: Cost comparison of welded cellular plated square box and cellular shell column structures

Abstract

Cellular plates or shells consist of two layers of plates or shells and a grid of stiffeners welded between them. These structures produce large bending and torsional stiffness using relatively small structural height and thicknesses. In the present study the cellular plates and shells are applied for a cantilever column. They are optimized for minimum cost and compared to each other. The column is constructed as a square box cross‐section with cellular plated walls or a circular cylindrical cellular shell. The column is subjected to a compression and a bending force. It is designed for two special constraints: the horizontal deformation at the top and the width of the column are limited. Both versions are applicable, reducing the plate thicknesses, but the cellular shell performance looks better.