Postbuckling response of long thick isotropic plates loaded in compression including higher order transverse shearing effects
Buckling and postbuckling results for aluminum plates loaded in compression are presented. The buckling results were plotted to show the effects of thickness on the stress coefficient. Buckling results are given for various length-to-width ratios. Postbuckling results for plates with transverse shearing flexibility are compared to results from classical theory for various width-to-thickness ratios. The plates are considered to be long with side edges simply supported, with edges free of stress and the plates are subjected to longitudinal compressive displacement. Characteristic curves indicating the average longitudinal direct stress resultant as a function of the applied displacements are calculated based on four different theories: Classical von Karman, first-order shear deformation, higher-order shear deformation, and three-dimensional flexibility. Present results indicate that the three-dimensional flexibility theory gives the lowest and therefore, most accurate results. The higher-order shear deformation theory has fewer unknowns than the three-dimensional flexibility but is not as accurate. The figures presented show that small differences occur in the maximum stress resultants and the transverse displacements calculated when the effects of transverse shear are included.