Experimental techniques for testing unstiffened plates in compression and bending

Abstract

We present details of a dual-actuator rig developed for testing rectangular plates supported on three sides, with the remaining (longitudinal) edge free, under combined uniaxial compression and in-plane bending. Particular attention is given to ensuring a constant strain gradient at the loaded ends, as opposed to a constant load eccentricity, in order to determine the post-buckling behavior and ultimate load and moment capacities of unstiffened thin-walled elements. Strain gradients varying from pure compression to pure bending are facilitated. Attention is also given to ensuring simply supported boundary conditions, and the methods used for anchoring the tensile stresses that develop at the loaded edges as a result of large plate deflections. Details of the methods for controlling the applied displacements are given, for which a system of four laser displacement devices was employed in order to achieve the required strain gradient. The operation of the rig is verified against established theoretical solutions.