Shear buckling of infinite plates resting on tensionless elastic foundations

The buckling problem of an infinite thin plate resting on a tensionless Winkler foundation and subjected to shearing loads is investigated. The infinite plate is simplified to a one-dimensional mechanical model by assuming a lateral buckling mode function and a borderline function between contact and non-contact regions. After the governing differential equations for the plate sections in the contact and non-contact regions have been solved, the problem reduces to two nonlinear algebraic equations. Buckling coefficients for plates with simply supported edges and clamped edges are determined for a range of relative foundation stiffness factors. Comparison of the results with existing theory and finite element analyses shows good agreement.