An analytical method to predict the buckling and collapse behaviour of plates and stiffened panels under cyclic loading

Abstract

The nonlinear stress-strain relationship of a thin plate or stiffened panel under in-plane load is represented by a load-shortening curve. The curves are used to evaluate the buckling and ultimate collapse behaviour of these structural elements, and furthermore forming the input data to analytical progressive collapse methods for large scale box girder structures such as ships. This paper develops a novel analytical method that predicts the load-shortening curve of plates and stiffened panels under cyclic in-plane load. This provides the framework to account for load reversals in an enhanced cyclic progressive collapse method. A parametric study using nonlinear finite element analysis is completed to investigate the characteristic behaviour of simply supported plates under cyclic compression and tension. The investigation covers a range of aspect ratios and slenderness ratios typical for ship-type structures. Single-cycle and ten-cycle loading protocols are applied, which demonstrate progressive reduction in strength and stiffness together with a response convergence after several cycles. An analytical method to predict multi-cycle load-shortening behaviour is then derived using a response and updating rule based on the observed characteristics from the parametric study. A validation of the analytical method is performed on a range of unstiffened plates and stiffened panels under various cyclic loading protocols. A good comparison with the results of finite element analysis is obtained, which confirms the validity of the proposed analytical method.

Full-scale collapse testing of a steel stiffened plate structure under cyclic axial-compressive loading

“…During late 1990s until recent years, a number of similar studies have been continued [6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. Very recently, Li et al [13] proposed an analytical method to predict the ultimate strength behaviour of steel plates and stiffened panels under various patterns of cyclic loading. Jagite et al [14] investigated dynamic ultimate strength behaviour of steel stiffened plate structures under more realistic scenarios of cyclic loading.…”

Strength Assessment of Rectangular Plates Subjected to Extreme Cyclic Load Reversals

“…Li et al, 2019 [29] proposed an analytical solution to predict the buckling and collapse response of both plates and stiffened panels under the cyclic load showing a good agreement with the FEM prediction.…”

An adaptable algorithm to predict the load-shortening curves of stiffened panels in compression

“…An elastic-perfectly plastic material behaviour is assumed. The material hardening has been shown to have minimal effect on the pre-collapse response and the ultimate compressive strength of structural members (Li et al 2019). The post-collapse response would generally follow the same response pattern but a smaller decay rate.…”

“…The ULS assessment of stiffened panels in exceptional conditions such as artic environment and elevated temperature may refer to the recent works by Paik et al (2020aPaik et al ( , 2020c and Fanourgakis and Samuelides (2021) respectively. The load-shortening behaviour of stiffened panels under cyclic axial load, which could occur in a series of storm waves, was investigated by Paik et al (2020b) and Li et al (2019). In addition, apart from a direct analysis on stiffened panels, a new procedure to develop the load-shortening curve of structural components was discussed by Downes et al (2017).…”

“…Syrigou and Dow (2018) analysed the collapse behaviour of steel and aluminium plates under combined compression/tension and shear. Li et al (2019) conducted a parametric finite element analysis to study the structural response of steel plating under cyclic compression and tension. Paik et al (1998) investigated the stiffener tripping by applying nonlinear finite element analysis.…”