INTRODUCTION

A plate is a structure which is flat in geometry and in which the thickness is rather small as
compared to the surface dimension i.e. the separation between the surfaces. Geometrically, they
are bound either by straight or curved lines. As compared to beams, they not only serve as
structural components but can also form complete structures such as slab bridges, etc.

Thick Plates:
If the ratio of a typical dimension of a plate in a plane ‘a’ and its thickness ‘h’ is defines as a/h ≤
8-10, then they are grouped as thick plates.

The analysis of such bodies includes all the components of stresses, strains, and displacements
as for solid bodies using the general equations of three-dimensional elasticity.
2. The second group refers to plates with ratios a=h _ 80 . . . 100. These plates
are referred to as membranes and they are devoid of flexural rigidity. Membranes
carry the lateral loads by axial tensile forces N (and shear forces) acting in the plate
middle surface as shown in Fig. 1.7. These forces are called membrane forces; they
produce projection on a vertical axis and thus balance a lateral load applied to the
plate-membrane.
3. The most extensive group represents an intermediate type of plate, socalled
thin plate with 8 . . . 10 _ a=h _ 80 . . . 100. Depending on the value of the
ratio w=h, the ratio of the maximum deflection of the plate to its thickness, the
part of flexural and membrane forces here may be different. Therefore, this group,
in turn, may also be subdivided into two different classes.
a. Stiff plates. A plate can be classified as a stiff plate if w=h _ 0:2. Stiff plates
are flexurally rigid thin plates. They carry loads two dimensionally, mostly by internal
bending and twisting moments and by transverse shear forces. The middle plane
deformations and the membrane forces are negligible. In engineering practice, the
term plate is understood to mean a stiff plate, unless otherwise specified. The concept
of stiff plates introduces serious simplifications that are discussed later. A funda-

The static and dynamic loads carried by

plates are predominantly perpendicular to the plate surface. These external loads are

carried by internal bending and torsional moments and by transverse shear forces.

Since the load-carrying action of plates resembles to a certain extent that of beams,

plates can be approximated by gridworks of beams. Such an approximation, however,

arbitrarily breaks the continuity of the structure and usually leads to incorrect results

unless the actual two-dimensional behavior of plates is correctly accounted for.

The two-dimensional structural action of plates results in lighter structures and,

therefore, offers economical advantages. Furthermore, numerous structural configurations

require partial or even complete enclosure that can easily be accomplished by

plates, without the use of additional covering, resulting in further savings in material

and labor costs. Consequently, plates and plate-type structures have gained special

importance and notably increased applications in recent years. A large number of

structural components in engineering structures can be classified as plates. Typical

examples in civil engineering structures are floor and foundation slabs, lock-gates,

thin retaining walls, bridge decks and slab bridges. Plates are also indispensable in

shipbuilding and aerospace industries. The wings and a large part of the fuselage of an

aircraft, for example, consist of a slightly curved plate skin with an array of stiffened

ribs. The hull of a ship, its deck and its superstructure are further examples of stiffened

plate structures. Plates are also frequently parts of machineries and other mechanical

devices. Figure I.2 schematically illustrates some of these industrial applications.

This book deals with the various plate analysis techniques which, of course, cannot

be learned without a well-founded knowledge in the underlying plate theories.

The main objective to any structural analysis is to ensure that the structure under

investigation shall have an adequate safety factor against failure within reasonable