Buckling and postbuckling behavior of unstiffened slender curved plates under uniform shear

Buckling and postbuckling behavior of curved plates under in-plane shear are investigated. After revisiting classic elastic buckling results, the elastoplastic postbuckling behavior and the effects of curvature parameter and aspect ratio are simulated via geometrical and material nonlinear analyses. Imperfection sensitivity is studied for various imperfection shapes and magnitudes. An increase in curvature parameter raises the elastic buckling load, produces unstable buckling and reduces postbuckling reserves. The buckling load and shear capacity are higher in shorter plates. Small initial imperfections are found to have severe effects on the initial buckling load of plates with large curvature parameter, but little effect on ultimate postbuckling capacity.