The minimum weight design of compression structures including plasticity effects

Abstract

The minimum weight design of a wide range of structures required to resist compressive loading is considered. Items which have been analysed in detail include struts of various sorts, thin plates, honeycomb core sandwich panels, wide column stiffened panels, stiffened panels with optimised support locations, and cylindrical shells stiffened by axial stiffners and rings. A further study is concerned with the effects of imperfections on a tower with corrugation stiffened walls, loaded in compression. - Except for the corrugated tower, each analysis includes the effects of plasticity in a direct and realistic way by characterising stress-strain behaviour in the manner suggested by Ramberg and Osgood. Results for each type of structure are presented, together with the appropriate computer programmes.