On the buckling of elastic plates

Abstract

The Föppl-von Kármán equations are used to explore the onset of linear instability and the subsequent nonlinear development of buckling patterns in a flat elastic plate due to an imposed shear or body force such as gravity. Experimental results are also presented for a clamped and sheared sheet of Neoprene rubber and these compare favourably with theory. © The author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press; all rights reserved.