COMBINED-LOAD BUCKLING OF ORTHOTROPIC SKEW PLATES

Buckling analysis of orthotropic skew plates subjected to a combination of in-plane edge loads has been presented. The Fourier-series solution satisfies all the boundary conditions of simple supports. Numerical results are generated for various skew angles, flexural and torsional rigidities, and aspect ratios. It is shown that the buckling load of a skew orthotropic plate under combined in-plane edge loads is smaller than that under each component of load acting individually. However, when a skew plate is subjected to biaxial edge compression and shear, tending to decrease the skew angle, the buckling load becomes higher with increase in the applied edge shear. It is also shown that, for all cases treated, buckling load increases with the skew angle, ratio of the elastic moduli of the orthotropic plate, and it decreases with increase in the aspect ratio. Results, useful for the design office, are given.