Abstract
The paper presents a procedure for modeling an orthotropic thin plate finite element so to have an equivalent structural response as the steel stiffened plate of same overall dimensions. New, equivalent element, homogenizes the structural properties of plates and stiffeners in element’s stiffness matrix. By use of such elements, a significant reduction in overall size of a global finite element model of large stiffened panel structures could be achieved. The algorithm of proposed procedure is fully explained and, as an example, applied to a standard global model of steel ship hull structure. Structural response comparison is made between reduced model made of newly defined thin finite elements and conventional ones. Advantages are emphasized and remedies of some recognized shortcomings are suggested.
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