A procedure for optimizing laterally loaded stiffened panels (the ``Bubnov in Monte Carlo'' algorithm)

Abstract The main objective of this paper is to develop a closed, programmable algorithm for optimizing laterally loaded stiffened panels. To overcome the main obstacle to using present-day sophisticated optimization software tools for that purpose, i.e., the lack of a general formulation of the relations between the load and the response parameters of such models, which are necessary to define programmable failure calculations, an attempt is made to use Bubnov's quasi-analytical formulae, developed for analysing ship hull plating grillages more than a century ago. They are incorporated in a Monte Carlo optimization algorithm, forming a “Bubnov in Monte Carlo” procedure for optimizing laterally loaded stiffened panels. The performance of the algorithm is tested on a number of examples, alternatively analysed using the finite element method. Although a comparison of the results is not entirely straightforward, due to the assumptions and simplifications made in Bubnov's method, the essential criterion of assessment – a general judgment on the occurrence of failures, is found to be satisfied.