Stipsy-A program for stiffened plate synthesis

The theoretical background and details of a computer program for the optimum design of multi-layered fibre composite stiffened plates (STIPSY) subjected to in-plane compression and secondary out-of-plane loading, are presented. The blade, angle and hat section stiffeners are considered in the program. The widths of the elements, the thickness of the three layers having commonly used fibre orientations (0°, ±45° and 90°) in each of the number of layers in each element are the design variables. Any desired set of constraints from the various serviceability, material strength, stability and side constraints available in the program may be invoked by the user along with the corresponding factor of safety. The Gradient Projection Method (GPM) and Sequential Unconstrained Minimization Technique (SUMT) are the alternate procedures available in the program to solve the resulting non-linear optimization problem. A few sample results are presented at the end. © 1993.