Laser-welded web-core sandwich plates under patch loading

This paper presents an approach to the structural analysis of patch-loaded, laser-welded web-core sandwich plates. This approach is especially suitable for the concept design phase of ship structures. The method consists of two parts; the global bending response is evaluated using sandwich plate theory and the local response of the patch-loaded face plate is determined with the help of basic plate theory. Both analyses utilise analytical and numerical methods and include the effect of the rotation stiffness of the laser-welded T-joint between the face and web plate. Combining the results of these two analyses gives the total response of the web-core sandwich plate. The results of the proposed approach are compared to those given by 313 solid and shell element FE analyses and the agreement of deflections and normal stresses is found to be good. The sensitivity of the response to patch-load size, T-joint rotation stiffness, and plate aspect ratio is studied. The main benefits of the proposed approach are its short analysis time and the good accuracy of deflections and stresses. This considered advantageous when applied to the design of large ship structures such as hoistable car decks. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.