Mechanics Index

Loaded Flat Platess

Introduction..... Symbols..... Circular Plates..... Rectangular Plates..... Circular Plates with central holes.....

Introduction

This page includes simple formula for the calculation of the maximum stress and deflection for thin flat plates under a variety of support and loading conditons.    The equations are only valid if the deflection is small compared to the plate thickness.    The plates are all assumed to be steel with a poisson's ratio of 0,3.  The equations are also only reasonably accurate if the thickness is less than 10% of the diameter.    The results can be used for initial estimates - For more accurate results it is recommended that quality reference books are used i.e "Roark's Formulas for Stress and Strain". I also recommend Mitcalc.com see link 1 below - a suite of calculators based on Excel.

The loading scenario for the simply supported rectangular plates assume that the upper edges of the loaded surface are restrained from lifting such that all of the edges are in contact during the the loading condition.

Note:
I have checked the results from some of the equations against results using Mitcalc.com . The deflections and stresses resulting are generally resonably accurate.    I have checked my results against Roark and they seem to be OK. I would recommend that for more comprehensive calculations including greater detail with more accuracy standard reference texts are used e.g Roarks book.



Symbols / Units
r = radius of circular plate (m)
a = major length of rectangular plate (m)
a = outside dia or ring (m)
b = minor length of rectangular plate (m)
b = inside dia of ring(m)
t = plate thickness (m)
p = uniform surface pressure on plate (compressive) (N/m2)
P = Single concentrated force (compressive) (N)
σ m = maximum stress(N/m2)
ym = maximum deflection (m)
E = Young's moudulus of elasticity (N/m2)
ν = Poissan's ratio -Assumed to be 0,3 for steel.
D = Flexural rigidity = E.t3 / 12 (1-v2)


Circular Plates

Circular Plate , uniform load , edges simply supported .








Circular Plate , uniform load , edges clamped .








Circular Plate , Centre Load , edges simply supported .








Circular Plate , Centre Load , edges clamped .










Rectangular Plates

Rectangular Flat Plate , uniform load ,edge simply supported.








Rectangular Flat Plate , uniform load ,edge clamped.








Rectangular Flat Plate , concentrated load at centre,edge simply supported.







  a/b
1,01,11,2 1,41,61,8 2,03,04 ->
k1 0,1270,1380,1480,1620,170,1770,1800,185 0,185
k2 0,4350,5650,6500,7890,8750,9270,9581,000 0,000






Rectangular Flat Plate , concentrated load at centre, edge clamped



a/b
1,01,21,41,61,82,03 ->
k1 0,0610,0710,0760,0780,07860,07880,0791
k2 0,7540,8940,9620,9911,0001,0041,008
k3 -0,238-0,00780,0110,0530,0680,0670,067






Circular Flat Plate with central hole , concentrated load at hole, simply supported at outer edge






a/b
1,25 1,5 2 33 4 5
k1 k2 k1 k2 k1 k2 k1 k2 k1 k2 k1 k2
0,341 0,100 0,519 1,26 0,672 1,48 0,734 1,88 0,724 2,17 0,704 2,34





Circular Flat Plate with central hole , uniform load over ring, simply supported at outer edge



a/b
1,25 1,5 2 3 4 5
k1 k2 k1 k2 k1 k2 k1 k2 k1 k2 k1 k2
0,184 0,592 0,414 0.976 0,664 1,44 0,824 1,88 0,830 2,08 0,813 2,190








Circular Flat Plate with central hole , Concentrated load at hole, clamped at outer edge






a/b
1,25 1,5 2 3 4 5
k1 k2 k1 k2 k1 k2 k1 k2 k1 k2 k1 k2
0,00504 0,194 0,0242 0.320 0,0810 0,454 0,172 0,673 0,217 1,021 0,238 1,305





Circular Flat Plate with central hole , uniform load over ring, clamped at outer edge






a/b
1,25 1,5 2 3 4 5
k1 k2 k1 k2 k1 k2 k1 k2 k1 k2 k1 k2
0,00199 0,105 0,0139 0.259 0,0575 0,480 0,130 0,657 0,162 0,710 0,175 0,730








Circular Flat Plate with guided central hole , uniform distributed load, simply supported at outer edge






a/b
1.25 1,5 2 3 4 5
k1 k2 k1 k2 k1 k2 k1 k2 k1 k2 k1 k2
0,00343 0,122 0,0313 0,336 0,125 0,740 0,221 1,210 0,417 1,450 0,492 1,590









Circular Flat Plate with guided central hole , uniform distributed load, fixed at outer edge






a/b
10 3 2 1,5 1,1
k1 k2 k1 k2 k1 k2 k1 k2 k1 k2
0,149 0,728 0,074 0,58 0,023 0,36 0,003 0,151 - 0,019





Additional notes to be added

Relevant Links
  1. Mitcalc.com Plates Detailed Calculations for a very resonable cost
  2. Wikipeadia - Plate theory.. Quite detailed - difficult to follow notes
  3. excelcalcs Plates.. Very detailed a comprehensive coverage of the subject.


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