Steel Plates and Stiffeners
Steel Plates and Stiffeners
(OP)
Using Risa to model steel grain collectors and hoppers: How do I merge the plates and stiffeners in Risa? I have a collector 35' long segemented to 7' bays that are 8' wide & 8' tall. I am using L3x3x1/4 as stiffeners and C10x30 as the top and bottom horizontals. The support columns have to be at the ends (4 total). So I am relying on a large section modulus to carry the load (27k/ft), I have a model in Risa but do not know how to merge my plates, stiffeners and channels. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks.





RE: Steel Plates and Stiffeners
RE: Steel Plates and Stiffeners
I take the plates and model the actual dimensions of the plates, probably 8'x8' in your case. For the channel "chords" I model them as directly attached to the plates.
For the vertical angles stiffeners I determine the distance that the centroid of the angle is away from the wall plate. I create rigid links to connect the wall plate to the stiffener.
RE: Steel Plates and Stiffeners
What I am trying to model is a steel grain bin. The overall structure would be steel plate with verticle and horizontal stiffeners that are welded to the plate. I have done a few by hand, but if I could get a RISA model to work, especially the transfer of loads between the plates and stiffener, I would be more efficient. I think that I understand what you are saying. I'd have to try this in a model of a bin that has already been checked. Thanks.
RE: Steel Plates and Stiffeners
If you need to model some parts as linear members, proceed as ccb1 says for it will place your linear member properly at its place and showing the forces as one is accustomed to see in linear members. You may, however, for members lying in horizontal surfaces prefer to have them placed with a TOM Top of Member clause, RISA will check the member well both ways.
RE: Steel Plates and Stiffeners
RE: Steel Plates and Stiffeners
RE: Steel Plates and Stiffeners