Free vibration analysis of stiffened laminated plates

Based on the semi-analytical solution of the state-vector equation theory, a novel mathematical model for free vibration analysis of stiffened laminated plates is developed by separate consideration of plate and stiffeners. The method accounts for the compatibility of displacements and stresses on the interface between the plate and stiffeners, the transverse shear deformation, and naturally the rotary inertia of the plate and stiffeners. Meanwhile, there is no restriction on the thickness of plate and the height of stiffeners. To demonstrate the excellent predictive capability of the model, several examples are analyzed numerically. The model presented in this paper can also be easily modified to solve the problems of stiffened piezolaminated plates and shells, or plates and shells with piezoelectric material patches.