<p>A method for estimating the ultimate strength of the chained-fillet welded stiffened plate under axial load is proposed in this paper. The continuously welded stiffened plate is separated into two beams (plate and stiffener), and the effect of the longitudinal internal shear force per unit length at the junction of plate and stiffener is considered. The whole span of an intermittently welded stiffened plate is divided into welded and non-welded joints. A model for calculating Euler limit load of the chained-fillet welded stiffened plate considering the effect of the shear force at welded joints is developed. Based on the model, the Euler limit load of the chained-fillet welded stiffened plate is determined. The effect of the welded joints on the Euler limit load of the chained-fillet welded stiffened plate is analyzed. The chained-fillet welded stiffened plate is changed into a continuously welded stiffened plate which can have the equivalent Euler limit load. The ultimate strength of the changed stiffened plate is estimated using Paik’s empirical formula presented in previous studies. The comparison with the results of previous studies is carried out to verify the accuracy of the proposed method.</p>