Buckling of circular plates based on Reddy plate theory

Abstract

Treated herein is the elastic buckling of circular plates based on the Reddy plate theory. This plate theory extends the Kirchhoff (or the classical thin) plate theory to allow for the effect of transverse shear deformation. Unlike the Mindlin's shear deformation plate theory, there is no need for a shear correction factor in the Reddy plate theory. In this paper, exact buckling solutions are derived for circular plates whose edges are simply supported and elastically restrained against rotation as well. This general edge condition includes the classical simply supported and clamped edges at the limiting, values of the elastic rotational restraint constant. The buckling solutions are expressed in terms of the well-known Kichhoff buckling solutions. A comparison of buckling loads between the Mindlin, Reddy and three-dimensional elasticity plates is also given.