Accurate discrete modelling of stiffened isotropic and orthotropic rectangular plates

•An accurate analytical formulation for blade-stiffened plates is presented.•The three dimensional equations of elasticity are used to model the plate.•A plane-stress formulation is used for transverse bending of stiffener.•Transverse shear deformation in stiffened vs. nstiffened plates is highlighted.•Recommendations given for accurate modelling of stiffened plates

An analytical approach is presented here for simply supported blade-stiffened rectangular plates wherein important non-classical effects such as transverse shear deformation and rotary inertia are carefully accounted for. The analysis differs from full three-dimensional modelling of both the plate and the stiffener in that a plane stress idealization is used to model the kinematics of transverse bending of the stiffener while simple one-dimensional classical models are employed for lateral bending and torsion. Parametric studies are used to highlight the importance of non-classical effects in plate and stiffener kinematics and to finally lead to certain recommendations for accurate modelling of stiffened plates.