Numerical investigation of the buckling behavior of thin ferrocement stiffened plates

One of the most common applications of ferrocement is the manufacturing of thin stiffened plates which are prone to buckling. This study focuses on the investigation of the behavior of a ferrocement plate, stiffened in both directions by means of an appropriate grid of ribs. In the present paper detailed three-dimensional numerical Finite Element models are formulated for the simulation of the behavior of the structure under study, which are able to take into account both the geometric and material non-linearities that are present in the subject at hand (plasticity, cracking, large displacements). The difference among the formulated models lies on the use of different types of finite elements. The numerical results obtained by each model are compared and the most efficient model is determined. Finally, this model is in the sequel used for the further investigation of the effect of different parameters on the ultimate load capacity, such as the initial out-of-plane imperfection of the plate and the interaction between the axial loads in both directions.