A NOTE ON THE SHEAR CENTER PROBLEM FOR SHEAR-DEFORMABLE PLATES

It is shown that a minimum complementary energy analysis, in conjuncti on with Saint Venant type stress assumptions, for shear-deformable pla tes of variable thickness leads to a second order ordinary differentia l equation problem for the distribution of transverse shear. It is fou nd that this equation is equi-dimensional for plates with linearly var ying thickness. The ensuing exact solution implies an explicit express ion for the location of the center of shear dependent on an appropriat e dimensionless parameter involving cross-sectional dimensions and tra nsverse twisting and shearing stiffness coefficients. Significant nume rical consequences are encountered for plates which are relatively sof t in transverse shear.