Finite Element Analysis of Orthogonally Stiffened Annular Sector Plates

Abstract

The finite element analysis of an orthogonally stiffened annular sector plate is presented by combining the annular sector plate element and the curved beam element. The plate and the curved beam elements are the isoparametric elements in which the effects of shear deformation and rotary inertia have been taken into account. In addition, both these elements are meant to be used for arbitrarily laminated structures and they are based on the higher order theories previously presented for plates, shells, and beams. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and correctness of the present finite element procedure for stiffened plates. Numerical results obtained on circumferentially stiffened sector plates illustrate the accuracy of an equivalent orthotropic plate (EOP) model and the plate‐stiffener system (PSS) model. The limitations of modeling the plate by thin plate elements and stiffeners by thin beam elements are also discussed.