Buckling of plates with strengthenings

Abstract: This paper studies the buckling behaviour of simply supported square plates, which have weakening or strengthening bands. The weakening/strengthening bands are equally spaced and their thickness is either decreased or increased. The analysis assumes that the stress state in the plate before and during the buckling process remains in the elastic range. Two cases of plate loading are studied, one with compressive forces and one with tangential forces. The buckling coefficients are calculated for different numbers and thicknesses of strengthening/weakening bands. The thickness of strengthening/weakening bands and the thickness of the remaining plate is varied so that the volume/weight of the plate remains constant. In one case it is found that the buckling load at constant weight of the plate can be increased by 118% if an optimal ratio of the thickness of strengthening bands and the thickness of the remaining plate is used. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]