Localization of elastic waves in periodic rib-stiffened rectangular plates under axial compressive load

Based on the theory of elastic dynamics, the problem of wave localization in disordered periodic multi-span rib-stiffened plates is investigated. The transfer matrix method is employed to obtain the transfer matrix of the system, and the method for calculating the Lyapunov exponents in continuous dynamical systems presented by Wolf is used to determine the localization factors in discrete dynamical systems. As examples, the numerical results of the localization factors are given for a disordered periodic multi-span rib-stiffened plate under axial compressive load. The effects of the degree of disorder of span length and the structural parameters on the elastic wave localization are analyzed. The larger the degree of disorder, the larger the degree of localization. The larger the dimensionless torsional and flexural rigidities of the rib, the larger the degree of localization.