Dynamic response of equivalent orthotropic plate model for stiffened plate: Numerical-experimental assessment

Over the last two decades, homogenization-based modeling techniques have attracted considerable attention. In fact, through these methods, structures such as corrugated or stiffened plates, commonly referred to as structurally orthotropic plates, can be approximately studied as equivalent flat plates with orthotropic behavior. Specifically, these homogenization techniques allow for the direct determination of the equivalent flexural and torsional rigidities which appear in the governing equation for the deflection of the equivalent orthotropic plate. It is worth noting that, the determined equivalent material properties retain the dependence on the geometric parameters of the original corrugated or stiffened plates. This is rather convenient since, in this way, optimal design of the structural geometry of such systems may be easily investigated. In this regard, here an experimental and numerical analysis is developed on the reliability of the equivalent orthotropic plate model for plates reinforced with set of equidistant stiffeners in one direction. Numerical results, obtained considering the common case of rectangular plates, are validated via pertinent finite element modeling and experimental data.