9 Buckling of Plates

Plated structures are common in structural engineering. Any structure that requires
cross-section properties over and above those provided by rolled sections are built up
using plates and thereby become plated structures. The most common example of a
type of structure where plates are prevalent is in bridges—where plate and box girders
are common and their elements (flanges and webs) behave like separate plates. In this
section we will discuss the behaviour of simply-supported rectangular plates in axial
compression, in-plane shear stresses and under uniformly-distributed lateral loads.
The following key aspects are discussed:

• determination of critical buckling loads,

• introduction to post-buckling analysis.

Plated structures are renowned for their stiff post-buckling response and to take ad-
vantage of this the origin of this stability needs to be discussed and will come later.

9.1 Critical Buckling of Plates

In this section we will derive the critical buckling loads by the use of potential energy.
Consider a uniaxially loaded rectangular plate which is simply-supported on all four
edges and is of length a, width b and thickness t (Fig. 60).



Figure 60: Simply-supported rectangular plate under uniaxial loading.

9.1.1 Strain energy

If a rectangular differential element is considered under cylindrical bending about the

y axis (Fig. 61) we can write down the strain energy of bending in the x direction:
 2 
1 ∂ w
dU = Mx dy dx , (201)
2 ∂x2

77







 !


 

 

  

 "

(a) Undeflected (b) Deflected

Figure 61: Differential element for plate bending.

and immediately also get the corresponding result for the y direction:
 2 
1 ∂ w
dU = My dx dy . (202)
2 ∂y 2
If the same differential element is twisted about the x axis with a twisting moment M xy
(Fig. 62) then this component of strain energy is:

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( 3

12
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598 :9; = :>?; A
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) 4

(a) Undeflected (b) Deflected

Figure 62: Differential element for plate twisting.

∂2w
 
1
dU = Mxy dy dx . (203)
2 ∂x∂y
the component from Myx relies on the general plate theory result that Mxy = −Myx and
gives the same result as above. By using the standard expressions relating moment
(bending and twisting) to curvature:
 2
∂2w

∂ w
Mx = D +ν 2 (204)
∂x2 ∂y
 2
∂2w

∂ w
My = D +ν 2 (205)
∂y 2 ∂x
∂2w
Mxy = D(1 − ν) (206)
∂x∂y

78
where D = Et3 /[12(1 − ν 2 )] and is called the flexural rigidity of a plate. Integrating over
the volume of the plate (assuming that the thickness is constant), the total strain energy
in bending is:
Z Z ( 2 2 "  2 2 #)
D b a ∂ w ∂2w ∂2w ∂2w ∂ w
U= + − 2(1 − ν) − dx dy (207)
2 0 0 ∂x2 ∂y 2 ∂x2 ∂y 2 ∂x∂y

This expression for U has two distinct parts: the first part relates to engineers bending
theory where M = EI × (curvature), the second part with the 2(1 − ν) coefficient
is known as Gaussian curvature and arises from asymmetries in the plate deflections.
Both parts account for double curvature in the plate which implies that the plate has to
stretch to buckle and that its buckled configuration is non-developable. Buckling occurs
when the work done by the load supplies just enough energy to allow for the in-plane
stretching to occur.

9.1.2 Work done by load

For a general plate problem, the work done by load depends very much on the prob-
lem. For the uniaxially-loaded rectangular plate shown in Fig. 60 the plate can be con-
sidered as inextensional and the expression is very similar to the column case (except
for the double integration required):
Z Z  2
σx t b a ∂w
P∆ = dx dy. (208)
2 0 0 ∂x
However under general loading where lateral loads and shear are possible (Fig. 63),
we can extend this simple expression to:
Z bZ a( "  
2  2    #)
t ∂w ∂w ∂w ∂w
P∆ = wq + σx + σy + 2τxy dx dy .
0 0 2 ∂x ∂y ∂x ∂y
(209)


 








Figure 63: Plates under biaxial loads, shearing stresses and lateral loads.

9.1.3 Critical load evaluation for an axially loaded plate

Returning to the uniaxial case, we now have enough information to calculate critical
loads. For post-buckling analysis we require the consideration of in-plane stretching

79
of the plate surface. We can initiate Rayleigh’s method for a critical load analysis by
assuming:
mπx πy
w(x, y) = Q sin sin (210)
a b
i.e. one half sine wave in the y direction and m half waves in the x direction. This
assumes that the plate is long and thin, i.e.

a  b.

Substituting the expression for w into the energy double integrals give:

∂w mπ mπx πy
=Q cos sin (211)
∂x a a b
∂2w  mπ 2 mπx πy
= −Q sin sin (212)
∂x2 a a b
∂2w  π 2 mπx πy
= −Q sin sin (213)
∂y 2 b a b
∂2w mπ 2
mπx πy
=Q cos cos . (214)
∂x∂y ab a b
The strain energy expression is thus:
Z bZ a
"  2 #2
Dπ 4 2  m 2
1 mπx 2 πy
U= Q + sin2 sin dx dy
2 0 0 a b a b
D(1 − ν)m2 π 4 2 b a h 2 mπx 2 πy 2 mπx 2 πy
Z Z i
− Q sin sin − cos cos dx dy (215)
a2 b 2 0 0 a b a b
"  2 #2
Dπ 4 ab 2  m 2 1
= Q + − ZERO.
8 a b

The work done by the load is thus:

σx t  πm 2 2 b a mπx 2 πy
Z Z
P∆ = Q cos2 sin dx dy
2 a 0 0 a b (216)
σx tm2 π 2 b 2
= Q
8a
Accumulating the total potential energy V :

V = U − P∆
 2 # 2
(217)
"
Dπ 4 ab 2  m 2 1 σx tm2 π 2 b 2
= Q + − Q
8 a b 8a

At critical equilibrium:
∂2V
= 0, (218)
∂Q2
which gives the following expression:

kπ 2 E
σxC = (219)
12(1 − ν 2 )(b/t)2

80
where:
 2
m φ
k= + , φ = a/b (220)
φ m
Consider for the moment that m is a constant and the plate aspect ratio φ is variable:
  
dk m φ 1 m
=2 + − =0 (221)
dφ φ m m φ2
hence:
φ2 = m 2 (222)
for practical values when φ = m we get a minimum value of the buckling load coeffi-
cient k and for the rectangular simply-supported plate, this is equal to 4. Fig. 64 shows
different curves relating to different buckling mode wave numbers m and how these
affect their respective k values against φ.

  

10

4

 
2

0 1 2 3

4 5 6

Figure 64: Curves of buckling load coefficient k plotted against plate aspect ratio φ.

Some points to note:

1. The minimum value of k for any aspect ratio φ (Fig. 64) gives the valid mode m.
Other values of m also give valid modes but these are associated with higher k
values (i.e. higher critical loads). A buckled plate divides itself approximately
into squares (Fig. 65)
2. k only reaches kmin = 4 for integer values of φ and only rises significantly above
this for small φ.
3. Transitional cases (φ = φtrans when km = km+1 )
 2  2
m φ m+1 φ
+ = +
φ m φ m+1
leads to: p
φtrans = m(m + 1) (223)

81
 

Figure 65: Plate buckling into square waves.

√
• 1st transition: φtrans = 2 and k = 4.50.
√
• 2nd transition: φtrans = 6 and k = 4.17.
√
• 3rd transition: φtrans = 12 and k = 4.08.

Hence as φ and m increase, the value of k at transition reduces. For a long plate,
kmin → 4. The transitional cases may seem the best case to design for (e.g. k = 4.5
is better than kmin = 4 by approximately 12%). However, this is only a result
of small deflection critical buckling analysis which tells us nothing about post-
buckling. At transitional points post-buckling is likely to be eroded by nonlinear
mode interaction effects.

4. For wide plates (φ → 0) the critical stress reduces to:

π2E
σxC = (224)
12(1 − ν 2 )(a/t)2

Comparing this expression with the critical stress of a buckling strut of square
cross-section of side t and length a:

t4 π 2 Et4 C π2E
I= , PC = , σ = . (225)
12 12a2 12(a/t)2

We find that the only difference is a factor of 1/(1 − ν 2 ), which represents a stiff-
ening against anticlastic bending which is allowable in a sequence of struts but
not a plate. The buckling of a wide plate is governed by the length a and not the
width b and can be an important factor in design.

• Failure of Koblenz box-girder bridge (Germany) in the late 1960’s during

construction (6 people killed)—wide plate introduced by a mistake in the
weld detailing (shown in Fig. 66). The shaded region is the “wide plate”
which emerged as the stiffeners were not welded to the flange plate in the
region of the splice. The design considered long plates of width b but inad-
vertently missed the failure of the wide plate of length a.

9.1.4 Notes on obtaining the critical load

The critical load can be obtained in two separate ways

82
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Figure 66: Koblenz bridge collapse from wide plate buckling.

83
 1. Inextensibility assumed, as shown above, with:
Z b Z a  2
1 ∂w
∆= dx dy
0 0 2 ∂x
which is fine for just obtaining σxC but does not suffice for any post-buckling con-
siderations.
2. The same result can be obtained by assuming the load does no work at all, so
the ends do not move, but stretching of the middle surface takes place (similar to
Fig. 65). From the buckling deformation w: the plate is stretched out longer than
a by an amount δa , thus:
Z  2
1 a ∂w
δa = dx.
2 0 ∂x
See the discussion of Von Kármán equations in the plated structures course.

9.2 Shear Buckling

Plates buckling in shear are, again, common in plate and box girder webs. The buckling
of a plate in shear is represented in Fig. 9.2. We can adapt our earlier energy analysis
by assuming w(x, y) has a double Fourier sine series form:
∞ X
∞
X mπx nπy
w(x, y) = Cmn sin sin (226)
m=1 n=1
a b

This analysis can be found in Theory of Elastic Stability by Timoshenko & Gere, 1961.




Figure 67: Buckling of a simply-supported plate in shear.

Again, we shall only consider plates that are simply-supported. For a longitudinally
compressed plate of thickness t and length a and width b, one sine wave model suf-
fices. Now, the buckle is made up of a number of sine waves. Substituting w into the
expression for strain energy of bending gives Ub [Eq. (207)]
∞ ∞ 2
Dπ 4 ab X X 2  m 2  n 2

Ub = C + . (227)
8 m=1 n=1 mn a b

For the remaining energy assume no work done by the load as point (2) in §9.1.4 and as-
sume that at buckling strain energy stored in bending equals the release in membrane
(in-plane stretching) energy, with applied Nxy only, where
Nxy = τxy t.

84
The release in stretching Us is thus:
Z bZ a   
∂w ∂w
Us = Nxy dx dy (228)
0 0 ∂x ∂y
where the integrand is the shear angle produced by distortion due to w. Substituting
the Fourier approximation for w(x, y) gives:
∞ X
∞ X ∞
∞ X
X mnpq
Us = 4Nxy Cmn Cpq (229)
m=1 n=1 p=1 q=1
(m2 − p2 )(n2 − q 2 )

where m ± p and n ± q are odd numbers. As we have stated above buckling occurs
when Ub = Us , so:
∞ X ∞   2
X
2 m 2  n 2
Cmn +
Dπ 4
ab m=1 n=1
a b
NxyC
= (230)
32 X ∞ X ∞ X ∞ X ∞
mnpq
Cmn Cpq 2
m=1 n=1 p=1 q=1
(m − p2 )(n2 − q 2 )

Post-buckling responses of plates in shear is quite complicated and is related to the

tension field that is created diagonally across the buckled rectangular panel Fig. 9.2.
Timoshenko’s approach does not deal with degrees of freedom, rather it minimizes



 


Figure 68: Tension field action of a buckled plate in shear

Nxy with respect to the Cmn terms directly. The accuracy of the result depends on the
number of input sine waves (number of Cmn terms), e.g. for a short plate φ = a/b < 2:

• 1st, with just C11 , C22

9π 2 (1 + φ2 ) π 2 D
C
Nxy =
32 φ3 b2
error is approximately 15% for a square plate.
• With more degrees of freedom:
π2D C
Nxy =k
b2
where k is a function of φ and k = 9.4 with five terms in the Fourier series. The
exact answer is k = 9.35.
• The general expression for k in terms of the plate aspect ratio is
4
k = 5.35 + for φ ≥ 1
φ2
(231)
5.35
k = 2 + 4 for φ ≤ 1
φ

85
9.3 Introduction to Plate Post-Buckling

Significant post-buckling strength is exhibited by axially-loaded plates and this sec-

tion discusses a simplified formulation that gives a lower bound on the post-buckling
stiffness. In this introductory section, the following assumptions are made:

• Plate is made up of a set of struts (strips) of width dy.

• Strips are constrained to act together during buckling.

• Ignore transverse and shear in-plane (membrane) effects

The Rayleigh method can be applied to this problem, a general form for w(x, y) can be
thus:
L iπx
w(x, y) = u1 g(y) sin (232)
i L
means that each strip deforms as shown in Fig. 69, where g(y) is the y variation of w

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Figure 69: Axial deformation of strip of width dy.

(g(y) = sin πy/b for simply-supported edges), L/i is a nondimensionalization. If each

strip was inextensional, it would shorten by
L  2
1 ∂w
Z
∆= dx (233)
2 0 ∂x

to first order. However, they are not inextensional and shorten by U 3 L, hence compres-
sive strain εx :
∆
εx = U 3 −
L (234)
1 2 2 2
= U 3 − π g u1 ,
4
if the strain is assumed to be constant along length (and also through the plate thick-
ness). In-plane membrane energy is the principal source of post-buckling stiffness and
this is obtained by integrating the strain energy:

1
Z
Us = (σx εx + σy εy + τxy γxy ) dS
2
(235)
1 2
Z
= Eε dS
2 x

86
where S represents the volume of plate. Only one term remains in this expression as we
have ignored shear and transverse strains (y = γxy = 0). Performing the integration
gives:
Z b 2
1 1 2 2 2
Us = ELt π g u1 − U 3 dy (236)
2 0 4
In the strain energy of bending (Ub ), nonlinear effects are negligible and the Timo-
shenko view of this suffices, i.e. bending energy is equivalent to the released energy
in stretching at P C .
b b
P C∆ 1L C 2 2
Z Z
Ub = dy = P π u1 g 2 dy. (237)
0 b 4b 0

The work done by the load and hence the total energy are given by:

P ∆ = P LU3 , (238)

V = U s + Ub − P ∆
(239)
Z b 2
1 1 2 2 2 1L C 2 2 b 2
Z
= ELt π g u1 − U 3 dy + P π u1 g dy − P LU3
2 0 4 4b 0

End-shortening U3 is made up of a non-trivial fundamental path component U 3F , and

an extra bit u3 which is entirely due to buckling:

P
U3 = U3F + u3 = + u3 (240)
Ebt
The post-buckling analysis of this is completed by eliminating u 3 as a passive coordi-
nate and evaluating the post-buckling stiffness as earlier methods have shown. Table 1
shows the effective stiffness values for some common edge and membrane conditions.

Long edge support conditions Lower bound stiffness Exact stiffness

2 × SS, straight edges 0.333 0.500
2 × SS, edges free to pull in 0.333 0.408
2 × CL, straight edges 0.449 0.497
1 × SS + 1 × FR, edges free to pull in 0.444 0.444

Table 1: Stiffness of post-buckling path as a proportion fundamental stiffness of long

plates under axial compression. SS: Simple support, CL: Clamped, FR: Free edge.

87