Plate boundary condition
Plate boundary condition
(OP)
What boundary condition ( Fixed or Simply supported) should be used for a 2.5" thick steel plate welded to W beams( spacing c/c is 2') below with 1/2" fillet weld.
The size of plate is 2'x 2' and it is uniformally loaded.
The plate is welded on 2 opposite sides and free on other 2 sides.
In reality, the boundary condition is somewhat in between fixed and SS, but we want to use fixed condition to minimize plate thickness.
2. Will the boundary condition change if we weld the above plate on all 4 side instead of 2 sides?
The size of plate is 2'x 2' and it is uniformally loaded.
The plate is welded on 2 opposite sides and free on other 2 sides.
In reality, the boundary condition is somewhat in between fixed and SS, but we want to use fixed condition to minimize plate thickness.
2. Will the boundary condition change if we weld the above plate on all 4 side instead of 2 sides?






RE: Plate boundary condition
If you treat it as fixed, the maximum moment may be at the edges, and if the plate thickness is driven by bending, then the welds wouldn't be adequate.
RE: Plate boundary condition
If you are only welding the one edge (or even the 3 edges) I would be inclined to call it simple supported.
2.5" thick plate spanning 24" must be supporting some significant loads, do you really want to scrimp on plate thickness?
RE: Plate boundary condition
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Plate boundary condition
Offhand, I would say that a 1/2" fillet weld on a 2.5" thick plate is closer to hinged than fixed.
2. Welding on four sides changes the boundary conditions considerably.
BA
RE: Plate boundary condition
RE: Plate boundary condition
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Plate boundary condition
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Plate boundary condition
BA