Large Deflections of Rectangular Plates Subjected to Uniform Lateral Pressure and Compressive Edge Loading

Abstract

A theoretical analysis is presented for the problem of flat rectangular plates undergoing large deflections due to the action of a uniform lateral pressure or combinations of uniform lateral pressure and compressive edge loading. The governing partial differential equations are replaced by their finite difference equivalents and the resulting difference equations solved by over-relaxation using an I.C.T. 1905 computer. The results for plates subjected to lateral loads only are in good agreement with the few existing solutions. For plates subjected to lateral loads and combinations of lateral and edge loading, the results show good agreement with the results of an experimental programme carried out at the University of Strathclyde.