STIPSY - A PROGRAM FOR STIFFENED PLATE SYNTHESIS

The theoretical background and details of a computer program for the o ptimum design of multi-layered fibre composite stiffened plates (STIPS Y) subjected to in-plane compression and secondary out-of-plane loadin g, are presented. The blade, angle and hat section stiffeners are cons idered in the program. The widths of the elements, the thickness of th e three layers having commonly used fibre orientations (0-degrees, +/- 45-degrees and 90-degrees) in each of the number of layers in each ele ment are the design variables. Any desired set of constraints from the various serviceability, material strength, stability and side constra ints available in the program may be invoked by the user along with th e corresponding factor of safety. The Gradient Projection Method (GPM) and Sequential Unconstrained Minimization Technique (SUMT) are the al ternate procedures available in the program to solve the resulting non -linear optimization problem. A few sample results are presented at th e end.