OPTIMIZATION OF STIFFENED PANELS SUBJECTED TO UNIFORM LATERAL LOADING

The structural designer is continually faced with the problem of weight and cost optimization, especially in the area of ship design. The purpose of this thesis was to develop an acceptable design method which integrates cost and weight in the optimization process of a typical ship structure. The structure considered here consists of a laterally-loaded panel stiffened by angle stiffeners in one direction only. Six particular arrangements were used in the formulation of the design procedure. Stiffeners oriented either parallel to the long or short side of the plate for each of three stiffener end conditions, over a typical range of gross panel aspect ratios were studied. The costing method utilized by the Boston Naval Shipyard for similar structures was used to complete a cost analysis for all the individual designs investigated. With the use of both graphical and analytical procedures, a design method which enables the designer to investigate both weight and cost, and is acceptable for practically all rolled angle stiffeners, was developed. This method gives the designer stiffener size, orientation, number and end condition, plus plating thickness for the particular weight-cost relationship he prefers, and the particular design stresses and scantlings he is forced to deal with.

• Corporate Authors:

  Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  Department of Ocean Engineering, 77 Massachusetts Avenue
  Cambridge, MA  United States  02139
• Authors:
  • Sutton, W G
• Publication Date: 1971-6

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Hulls; Stiffened plates; Vehicle design; Weight
• Uncontrolled Terms: Ship design
• Old TRIS Terms: Weight calculation
• Subject Areas: Design; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00034670
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 29 1972 12:00AM