Abstract:

Curves are given that enable the centre and edge elastic stresses and maximum deflection to be determined for initially flat rectangular plates of uniform thickness under pressure which is constant along the length and either uniformly distributed or linearly varying across the width. The curves are based on thin plate theory and apply for width/thickness ratios greater than or equal to 20 and for length/width ratios greater than or equal to 3. The data are given for plates having any degree of rotational restraint for the long edges when they are either fixed or free in translation (in-plane) and having any degree of translational restraint for the long edges when they are either fixed or free in rotation. A method of obtaining upper and lower bounds to the stresses and deflections when the long edges are elastically restrained in both translation and rotation is also given. The data for plates under uniform pressure can also be obtained using ESDUpac A9311, see ESDU 93011, or ESDUpac A9433, see ESDU 94033.