Longitudinally stiffened plates in Eurocode 3: Calculation of the global critical buckling stress

The design of longitudinally stiffened plates under direct stresses according to Eurocode 3 Part 1.5 implies the calculation of the global critical buckling stress σcr,pσcr,p, a specific stress, which is difficult to define and assess. After analysing and clarifying this concept, and on the assumption that the global mode corresponding to this stress is associated with the buckling of the stiffeners in the elastic continuum of the plate, this article proposes a general method for assessment of σcr,pσcr,p based on the use of a software which calculates the critical buckling stress of plates. This software, EBPlate, has been developed by the authors, is free of charge and can be downloaded from the internet.