The stability of eccentrically compressed thin plates with a longitudinal free edge and with stress variation in the longitudinal direction

This paper presents results of the investigation of the stability of eccentrically compressed thin plates with one longitudinal free edge with the participation of loadings generating the variation of stresses in the direction of the length of a plate. A deflection function (5) is proposed to enable modelling of boundary conditions on the second longitudinal edge from a simply supported, through elastically restrained, to a built-in edge. Formulas are derived for work done by external force under loading generating the variation of stress according to a linear function and according to parabola 2°. Tables and plots of buckling coefficient (k) for variously supported and variously loaded plates with a free edge, which are not found in the literature, are determined. The effect of a longitudinal stress variation on the plate buckling modes is analyzed.