A differential quadrature procedure for three-dimensional buckling analysis of rectangular plates

This paper presents an application of the differential quadrature (DQ) meth od for three-dimensional buckling analysis of rectangular plates. The gover ning equations of the plate model are first presented in terms of displacem ent, stress displacement relationship, and boundary conditions with three-d imensional flexibility. These equations are then normalised and discretised using the DQ procedure. Example problems pertaining to the buckling of rec tangular plates with generic boundary conditions are selected to illustrate the efficiency and simplicity of implementing the DQ procedure. The conver gence characteristics of the method are first conducted based on numerical studies. The DQ solutions are then compared, where possible, with exact or approximate solutions. It is found that the differential quadrature method yields accurate results for the plate problems under the current investigat ion. In addition to the above, some parametric studies are carried out by v arying the plates' aspect ratio, boundary conditions and thickness to width ratio under axial and biaxial loading. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd, All rights reserved.