BUCKLING ANALYSIS AND SHAPE OPTIMIZATION OF VARIABLE THICKNESS PRISMATIC FOLDED PLATES PART I: FINITE STRIP FORMULATION

This paper deals with the buckling analysis of prismatic folded plate structures supported on diaphragms at two opposite edges. The analysis is carried out using variable thickness finite strips based on Mindlin‐Reissner assumptions which allow for transverse shear deformation effects. The theoretical formulation is presented for a family of C(0) strips and the accuracy and relative performance of the strips are examined. Results are presented for a series of problems including plates and stiffened panels. In a companion paper these accurate and inexpensive finite strips are used in the context of structural shape optimization.