Large Deflections of Orthotropic Plates under Pressure

Abstract

Rectangular specially orthotropic plates subjected to uniform lateral pressure are analyzed into the large deflection regime, using the computer program ELDAROP. All four edges are supported against out‐of‐plane movement, with either simple support, or clamping, all round. With regard to the in‐plane boundary conditions, all four edges are either free to pull in straight, or completely restrained from normal movement. Some plates analyzed are initially flat. The others have a geometrical imperfection shaped as the first term in the series used to represent the lateral displacement. A