Influence of loading type and rectangular opening on the behaviour of GFRP stiffened panels

Abstract

Stiffened panels are basic parts of ship hulls and decks. Effect of buoyancy and cargo loading on the stiffened panels leads to application of axial loading and pressure loading in out-of-plane direction. Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) stiffened panels with high corrosion resistance, high strength, high stiffness and light weight is the best alternative for conventional steel stiffened panels. Because conventional steel stiffened panels experience sever corrosion when used for marine structures. For maintenance purpose, rectangular openings are provided in ship decks. The presence of opening leads to reduction in strength, reduction in stiffness, and critical failure patterns for stiffened panels subjected to axial and pressure loading. In this study, behaviour of Glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) stiffened panels with rectangular opening subjected to axial and pressure loading are studied experimentally by conducting tests. GFRP stiffened panels are fabricated in such a way that the plate and stiffeners are monolithic in construction. The effect of type of loading and the rectangular opening on the strength, stiffness and span/deflection ratio of GFRP stiffened panels are discussed. Failure pattern and maximum failure strain of GFRP stiffened panels subjected to axial and pressure loading are presented.