69018

ELASTIC STRESSES AND DEFLECTIONS FOR LONG FLAT RECTANGULAR

PLATES UNDER UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED AND LINEARLY VARYING NORMAL
PRESSURE

1. NOTATION

a length of plate m in

b width of plate m in

C interpolation factor

E Young’s modulus N/m2 lbf/in2

fE maximum total tensile stress at edge of plate having N/m2 lbf/in2

maximum loading

fe maximum total tensile stress at edge of plate having N/m2 lbf/in2

minimum loading

fm tensile stress at middle surface of plate N/m2 lbf/in2

fT maximum total tensile stress remote from edge N/m 2 lbf/in2

fγ value of any of above stresses when 0 ≤ γ ≤ 1 N/m2 lbf/in2

k 1 , k2 lateral stiffnesses in plane of plate provided by each long edge N/m2 lbf/in2
support; force per unit length per unit lateral deflection

k1 k2
k total effective lateral stiffness = ------------------ N/m2 lbf/in2
k1 + k2

pE + pe
p mean pressure on plate = ------------------- N/m2 N/m2
2

pE maximum pressure on plate having linearly varying pressure N/m2 N/m2

pe minimum pressure on plate having linearly varying pressure N/m2 N/m2

2
r ratio ( 1 – ν )/0.91 (when ν = 0.3, r = 1)

t plate thickness m m

γ constant relating to pressure variation across width

pE – pe
of plate = -------------------
pE + pe

Issued September 1969

With Amendments A and B, May 1995
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δ maximum deflection of plate m in

λ rotational stiffness provided by long edge supports; moment N/rad lbf/rad

per unit length per unit angular rotation

ν Poisson’s ratio

Both SI and British units are quoted but any coherent system of units may be used.

2. NOTES

Curves are given that enable the stresses and deflections to be determined for initially flat rectangular plates
of uniform thickness under pressure that is constant along the length and either uniformly distributed or
varying linearly from zero to pE across the width. The stresses and deflections for plates having a pressure
varying linearly across the width from pe to pE may also be obtained by using a simple formula.
2 1/4
In Figure 1 and Figures 3 to 12 ( f/p ) ( t/b ) and δ/t are plotted against ( b/t ) ( rp/E ) for various values
of rotational restraint, ( rλ/E ) ( b/t3 ) or translational restraint, ( rk/E ) ( b/t ) . The curves are grouped
2
according to the form of edge restraint. In Figure 2, ( f/p ) ( t/b ) is tabulated for various values of rotational
restraint, ( rλ/E ) ( b/t ) as for this condition of edge restraint (k = 0) the values are constant with respect to
3
1/4
( b/t ) ( rp/E ) . Table 2.1 shows the figures to be used for a particular stress or deflection and a given form
of edge restraint.

TABLE 2.1

Type of edge restraint Number of figure giving

In-plane
Rotation δ fe fE fT and fm
translation

Elastic Free
1 2 2 2
0 ≤ λ ≤ ∞ k=0

Elastic Fixed
3 4 5 6
0 ≤ λ ≤ ∞ k=∞

Free Elastic
7 – – 8
λ=0 0 ≤ k ≤ ∞

Fixed Elastic
9 10 11 12
λ=∞ 0 ≤ k ≤ ∞

On each figure the full line curves relate to plates under uniformly distributed pressure γ = 0, and the broken
line curves relate to plates under a triangular distribution of pressure when γ = 1, that is, pe = 0. When the
pressure varies linearly and pe ≠ 0 then the stresses and deflections may be obtained using the method given
in Section 3.

The curves are derived for infinitely long plates but may be used with sufficient accuracy for values of a/b
not less than 3. They are also derived on the basis of thin plate theory which is known to be valid for b/t
not less than 20.

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It is assumed that the values of λ and k exerted by the adjoining structure and its attachment to the plate
are uniform along the long edges. When k varies along the long edges a value should be used that is the
mean for an appropriate length not less than b and is nowhere closer than distance b to the short edges of
the plate. It is further assumed that the edges remain in the original plane of the undeflected middle surface.

The stresses and deflections for rectangular plates with initial curvature and square plates under uniform
pressure are given in Data Items Nos 69019* and 70001† respectively. The data given in this Item for the
plates under uniform pressure, γ = 0, can also be obtained using ESDUpacs A9311 and A9433 associated
with Data Items Nos 93011‡ and 94033**respectively.

3. USE OF THE CURVES

The diagram below illustrates the forms of pressure loading considered.

γ = 0 0<γ<1 γ = 1
pE + pe pE
p = pE = pe p = ------------------- p = ------ , pe = 0
2 2
3.1 Plates Under a Uniform Distribution of Pressure, γ = 0

The maximum deflection and stresses in non-dimensional form may be obtained directly from the figures
for the particular values of λ or k using the full line curves.

3.2 Plates Under a Triangular Distribution of Pressure, γ = 1

The maximum deflection and stresses in non-dimensional form may be obtained directly from the figures
for the particular value of λ or k using the broken line curves for p = pE /2 .

3.3 Plates Under a Linear Variation of Pressure, 0 < γ < 1

The value of γ must first be obtained from

pE – pe
γ = ------------------- .
pE + pe

*
Data Item No. 69019 “Elastic stresses and deflections for long rectangular plates with small initial curvature under uniformly distributed
normal pressure on concave face”.
†
Data Item No. 70001 “Elastic stresses and deflections for flat square plates under uniformly distributed normal pressure”.
‡
Data Item No. 93011 “Flat rectangular orthotropic plates under uniformly distributed normal pressure. Elastic stresses and deflections
for various forms of edge restraint” (Structures Sub-series).
**
Data Item No. 94033 “Flat rectangular isotropic plates under uniformly distributed normal pressure. Elastic deflections, stresses and
strains, moments and forces, for various forms of edge restraint” (Stress and Strength Sub-series).

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pE + p e
The maximum deflection and stresses are then obtained for γ = 0 and γ = 1 from the curves for p = ----------------- .
2
The values when 0 < γ < 1 can then be calculated using the following formulae.

δ γ = δ γ=0 + γ ( δ γ=1 – δ γ=0 )

f γ = f γ=0 + γ ( f γ=1 – f γ=0 ) .

3.4 Bending Stresses

In every case the corresponding bending stresses may be obtained by subtracting fm from fE , fe or fT . When
the edge is free in translation the stress at the middle surface fm is zero. When the edge is free in rotation
the edge stresses due to bending are zero and therefore fE or fe = fm .

3.5 Plates Restrained Elastically in Both Rotation and Translation

On each of the figures in this Item either λ or k is 0 or ∞ . However, the example in Section 5.2 illustrates
a method of linear interpolation that can be used to estimate realistic upper and lower bound values of stress
or deflection for the case when both λ and k have intermediate values.

4. DERIVATION

1. BRUCE, J. Cylindrical bending of long flat rectangular plates under

linearly distributed pressure. J. R. aeronaut. Soc., January
1965.
2. TIMOSHENKO, S. Theory of plates and shells. Second edition. Chapter 1.
WOINOWSKY-KRIEGER, S. McGraw-Hill, New York, 1959.

5. EXAMPLES

5.1 Example 1

A flat rectangular plate with its long edges elastically restrained against movement in the plane of the plate
and fixed against rotation is subjected to a pressure varying linearly across its width from 1.0 to 1.7 lbf/in2.

It is required to find the maximum deflection and the total, bending and middle surface stresses in the plate
if the length a = 53.3 in, the width b = 15.5 in and the thickness t = 0.036 in. The translational restraints
along the edges are k1 = 2800 lbf/in2 and k2 = 3750 lbf/in2; E for the plate material is 28 × 106 lbf/in2 and
Poisson’s ratio ν is 0.3.
53.3
From the above information a/b = ---------- = 3.44 . Therefore this Item may be used for this problem.
15.5

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The parameters required for use with this Item are tabulated.

pE – pe
γ = ------------------- 0.26
pE + pe

pE + pe
p = ------------------- 1.35 lbf/in2
2

1/4
b  --p-  6.38
---  r 
t  E

2
 
p b---  25 × 10 lbf/in 2
4
 t

k1 k2
k = ------------------ 1600 lbf/in2
k1 + k2

k b
r --- --- 0.0246
E t

λ b
r --- ---- ∞
E t3

For the edge conditions given, Figures 9, 10, 11, and 12 are used, first using the curves for γ = 0, then
γ = 1, and finally values for γ = 0.26 are calculated.

The values obtained for γ = 0 and γ = 1 are tabulated.

γ = 0 γ = 1
Figure
used Ratio obtained from Hence stress or Ratio obtained from Hence stress or
curves deflection curves deflection

9 δ/t 13.0 δ 0.468 δ/t 13.1 δ 0.472

f  t 2 fe fe  t 2 fe
10 ---e-  ---  0.239 59 700 ----  ---  0.176 44 000
p b p b

fE  t 2 fE fE  t 2 fE
11 -----  ---  0.239 59 700 -----  ---  0.301 75 300
p b p b

2
fT  t 2 fT fT  t  fT
12 ----  ---  0.060 15 000 ----  ---  0.068 17 000
p b p b

fm  t 2 fm fm  t 2 fm
-----  ---  0.006 1500 -----  ---  0.006 1500
p b p b

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The values for γ = 0.26 are obtained by calculation using the formulae

δγ = δγ = 0 + γ( δγ = 1 – δγ = 0 )

fγ = fγ = 0 + γ ( fγ = 1 – fγ = 0 ) .

The values for γ = 0.26 are tabulated.

δ = 0.468 + 0.26 (0.472 – 0.468) δ 0.469 in

fe = 59 700 + 0.26 (44 000 – 59 700) fe 55 600 lbf/in2
fE = 59 700 + 0.26 (75 300 – 59 700) fE 63 800 lbf/in2
fT = 15 000 + 0.26 (17 000 – 15 000) fT 15 500 lbf/in2
fm = 1500 + 0.26 (1500 – 1500) fm 1500 lbf/in2

The bending stresses obtained by subtracting fm from fe , fE and fT are tabulated.

Stress Corresponding bending stress

fe 55 600 – 1500 = 54 100 lbf/in2

fE 63 800 – 1500 = 62 300 lbf/in2

fT 15 500 – 1500 = 14 000 lbf/in2

5.2 Example 2

The flat rectangular plate in the example of Section 5.1 is subjected to a uniform pressure of 1.35 lbf/in2
and has its long edges elastically restrained against rotation. If λ = 168 lbf/rad find approximate upper
and lower bounds for the stress fE .

The parameters required are tabulated.

γ 0
2
p 1.35 lbf/in

1/ 4
b  --p-  6.38
---  r 
t  E

2
  4
p  b
---  25 × 10 lbf/in2
 t
k b
r --- --- 0.0246
E t

λ b
r --- ---- 2
E t3

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k b λ b
For r --- --- = 0.0246 two values of fE can be obtained from the figures, that is, when r --- ---3- = 0 and ∞ .
E t E t
λ b
Similarly for r --- ---3- = 2 two more values of fE can be obtained.
Et

The values obtained from the figures are tabulated.

k b λ b fE  t  2 fE
Figure used r --- --- r --- ----
E t3 -----  --- 
E t p b lbf/in2

8 0.0246 0 0.007 1750*

11 0.0246 ∞ 0.239 59 700

2 0 2 0.458 114 000

5 ∞ 2 0.089 22 300

*
When λ = 0 , f E = f m , see Section 3.4.

It can be seen that the required value for fE cannot be below 22 300 lbf/in2 or above 59 700 lbf/in2.

Hence, 22 300 lbf/in2 < fE < 59 700 lbf/in2 .

If the bending stresses are fairly large compared to the membrane stresses, as in the two values obtained
above, a closer estimate based on linear interpolation can be made as follows.
k b λ b
If f ( k,λ ) represents f E for any particular values of r --- --- and r --- ---- ,
E t E t3
then f ( k,λ ) = f ( k,0 ) + C ( f ( k,∞ ) – f ( k,0 ) ),
f ( 0,λ ) – f ( 0,0 ) f ( ∞,λ ) – f ( ∞ ,0 )
where C = ---------------------------------------- or ------------------------------------------ .
f ( 0,∞ ) – f ( 0,0 ) f ( ∞,∞ ) – f ( ∞,0 )
k b λ b
In this example r --- --- = 0.0246 and r --- ---- = 2 .
E t E t3

The additional values required are tabulated.

k b λ b f E  t 2 fE
Figure used r --- --- r --- ---- -----  --- 
E t E t3 p b lbf/in2

2 0 0 0 0

2 0 ∞ 0.500 125 000

5 ∞ 0 0.030 7500

5 ∞ ∞ 0.152 38 000

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k b
When r --- --- = 0,
E t
114 000 – 0
C = ------------------------------
125 000 – 0
= 0.912.
k b
When r --- --- = ∞ ,
E t
22 300 – 7500
C = ------------------------------------
38 000 – 7500
= 0.484.
k b
Therefore when r --- --- = 0.0246
E t
f E = 1750 + 0.912 × ( 59 700 – 1750 )

= 54 600 lbf/in2 ,
or f E = 1750 + 0.484 × ( 59 700 – 1750 )

= 29 800 lbf/in2 .
2
Hence, 29 800 lbf/in2 < f E < 54 600 lbf/in .

This approximate method assumes linear variation of the total stresses. The accuracy of this estimate must
decrease rapidly as the middle surface stresses become a significant proportion of the total stresses. A
diagram of the method, not to scale, is given below.

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FIGURE 1 EDGE FREE IN TRANSLATION k = 0

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FIGURE 2 EDGE FREE IN TRANSLATION k = 0

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FIGURE 3 EDGE FIXED AGAINST TRANSLATION k = ∞

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FIGURE 4 EDGE FIXED AGAINST TRANSLATION k = ∞

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FIGURE 5 EDGE FIXED AGAINST TRANSLATION k = ∞

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FIGURE 6 EDGE FIXED AGAINST TRANSLATION k = ∞

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FIGURE 7 EDGE FREE IN ROTATION λ = 0

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FIGURE 8 EDGE FREE IN ROTATION λ = 0

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FIGURE 9 EDGE FIXED AGAINST ROTATION λ = ∞

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FIGURE 10 EDGE FIXED AGAINST ROTATION λ = ∞

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FIGURE 11 EDGE FIXED AGAINST ROTATION λ = ∞

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FIGURE 12 EDGE FIXED AGAINST ROTATION λ = ∞

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THE PREPARATION OF THIS DATA ITEM

The work on this particular Data Item was monitored and guided by the Aerospace Structures Committee
which first met in 1940 and has the following membership:

Chairman
Prof. W.S. Hemp – University of Oxford

Vice-Chairman
Mr F. Tyson – Handley Page Ltd

Members
Mr H.L. Cox – National Physical Laboratory
Mr K.H. Griffin – College of Aeronautics
Mr N.F. Harpur – British Aircraft Corporation (Filton) Ltd
Mr P.J. McKenzie – Hawker Siddeley Aviation Ltd, Kingston
Dr G.G. Pope – Royal Aircraft Establishment
Mr I.C. Taig – British Aircraft Corporation (Preston) Ltd
Mr A.W. Torry – Hawker Siddeley Aviation Ltd, Hatfield.

The Item was accepted for inclusion in the Mechanical Engineering Series by the Stress Analysis and
Strength of Components Committee which first met in August 1964 and has the following constitution:

Chairman
Mr H.L. Cox – Independent

Vice-Chairman
Mr G.P. Smedley – Lloyd’s Register of Shipping

Members
Mr A.J. Batchelor – Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd
Mr C.E. Day – National Coal Board
Dr J.R. Dixon – National Engineering Laboratory
Dr H. Fessler – University of Nottingham
Mr N.E. Frost – National Engineering Laboratory
Dr R.B. Heywood – A. Macklow-Smith Ltd
Mr M.J. Kemper – A.P.V. Company Ltd
Dr L.C. Laming – Imperial College of Science and Technology
Mr J. Spence – University of Strathclyde
Dr C.E. Turner – Imperial College of Science and Technology
Mr J.V. Vint – Davy and United Engineering Company Ltd.

The technical work involved in the assessment of the available information and the construction and
subsequent development of the Data Item was undertaken by

Mr R.L. Penning – Senior Engineer.

The person with overall responsibility for the work in this subject area is Mr M.E. Grayley, Director and
Head of Strength Analysis Group.

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