Strength and ductility characteristics of non-continuously welded stiffened plates under in plane axial compression are the main focus of this research. A series of detailed numerical analyses of stiffened steel plates subjected to in plane compressive load is performed. Complete equilibrium paths are traced up to collapse for non-linear elastoplastic response of stiffened plates. Stiffened plates are selected from the deck structure of real sea-going ships and inland waterway vessels. Three different stiffener-to-plate welding procedures are considered: continuous, chain intermittent and staggered intermittent fillet welding. Special attention is paid to the finite element modeling of the fillet welds in either of welding practices. Some available tests are simulated applying finite element method.
Stiffened plates; intermittent welds; weld gap; buckling load; ultimate strength; ductility; Finite Element Method (FEM)
