Critical shear stress of flat rectangular plates with free edges

A numerical investigation is carried out by means of a finite element buckling analysis to determine the critical shear stress of flat rectangular plates with two opposite edges free. Plate sizes and the boundary conditions at the two edges loaded in shear are the parameters considered in this study. Results of the investigation show a considerable difference in the buckling strength of plates if the in-plane displacement normal to the loaded edges is restrained either at one or at both of those edges. The in-plane flexibility of the supports is, therefore, an important parameter to be accounted for in the structural design of such plates. Finally, the numerical investigation is also extended to the shear buckling strength of flat rectangular plates with only one free edge.