ABSTRACT
This chapter covers the analysis of initially flat circular and rectangular plates. Specifically, thin plates are analyzed where the ratio of the thickness to the smaller length is less than 1:20. The deflection behavior of the plate is shown and, in addition, the in-plane stress formulations are developed. The Timoshenko approach is taken in this chapter. The general assumptions used for plate analysis are: (1) the plate deflection of the midsurface is small comparing to the plate thickness, (2) the lines normal to the midsurface remain straight and normal to the midsurface after the bending of the plates, and (3) through the thickness, stress is negligible.
