DYNAMIC RESPONSE OF STIFFENED PLATES UNDER MOVING LOADS AND MASSES

We analyze the dynamic response of stiffened plates under moving loads and masses using the finite element method. The deflections, velocities, and accelerations for each time step are considered for the analysis using the Newmark integration method. An efficient solution for the dynamic response of stiffened plates under moving loads and masses in an arbitrary direction is established by developing a finite element code in MATLAB. Since there is no published result available for the stiffened plate's dynamic response under a moving load, the available bare plate's deflection result under a moving load has been considered to validate the present method and compared with the Finite Element Analysis of Structures (FEAST) software result. Also, a convergence study has been carried out for the bare plate deflections due to the moving load and mass. The deflections at the center of stiffened plates submitted to moving loads and masses with constant velocities (maintaining the same speed with time) and accelerated velocities (increasing the speed with time) have also been addressed. Numerical example results demonstrate that the maximum central deflection due to a single moving load or mass is higher than that of multiple moving loads or masses of the same magnitude. Also, the maximum deflection position deviates faster for the moving mass than the moving load with increased velocity or acceleration. The central deflection is higher for the load or mass moving in an arbitrary direction than that produced by the load or mass following a central straight path.