A Novel Refined Shear Deformation Theory for the Buckling Analysis of Thick Isotropic and Orthotropic Plates on Two-Parameter Pasternak’s Foundations

Abstract

Buckling analysis of isotropic and orthotropic plates resting on two-parameter Pasternak’s foundations using the four-variable refined plate theory is presented in this paper. The theory takes account of transverse shear effects and parabolic distribution of the transverse shear strains through the thickness of the plate; hence, it is unnecessary to use shear correction factors. Governing equations are derived from the principle of virtual displacements. The nonlinear strain–displacement of Von Karman relations is also taken into consideration. The closed-form solution of a simply supported rectangular plate subjected to in-plane loading has been obtained by using the Navier method. Numerical results obtained by the present theory are compared with classical plate theory solutions, first-order shear deformable theory solutions, higher-order shear deformation theory and available exact solutions in the literature. The effects of the foundation parameters, side-to-thickness ratio and modulus ratio, the isotropic and orthotropic square plates are considered in this analysis. It can be concluded that the present theory, which does not require shear correction factor, is not only simple but also comparable to the first-order shear deformable theory.