Buckling analysis of isotropic and orthotropic square/rectangular plate using CLPT and different HSDT models

Abstract

Buckling analysis of simply supported isotropic and orthotropic rectangular plate has been performed using Classical plate theory (CLPT) and various higher-order shear deformation theories (HSDT) developed by Reddy, Karama, Shi, and Touratier. The considered HSDT models utilize parabolic, trigonometric, and exponential distribution functions for shear strain along the transverse direction. The total minimum potential energy approach has been applied to find the governing equations using a generalized higher-order displacement field. The non-dimensional stiffness parameters are calculated for all the considered HSDT models employing governing differential equations. Subsequently, the governing differential equations have been solved using the Navier method. The non-dimensional critical buckling load (Ncr) as per different HSDT models has been discussed for various plate thicknesses. The Ncr of the rectangular plate considering HSDT and CLPT models for various plate thicknesses has been plotted to analyze the numerical result. Finally, a detailed discussion has been done to compare the Ncr values obtained using different shear deformation theories for isotropic and orthotropic plates. From the above critical analysis, the authors wanted to investigate the best suitable plate thickness range for CLPT as well as HSDT models for better accuracy in bucking load calculation.