Buckling analysis of rectangular thin plates with two opposite edges free and others rotationally restrained by finite Fourier integral transform method

This paper investigates the classical buckling problem of rectangular thin plates with two opposite edges free and others rotationally restrained by the finite Fourier integral transform method. The rotationally restrained edges are typically practical boundary conditions in many engineering structures, such as bridge decks. However, these non-classic edges bring mathematical difficulties in solving boundary value problems of governing partial differential equations of plate. Based on the integral transform theory, the title problem is transformed into solving regular linear algebraic simultaneous equations, which provides a more rational and theoretical solution process than traditional inverse/semi-inverse approaches. The acquired comprehensive results of critical buckling load factors and mode shapes are in excellent agreement with the ones obtained by finite element method, which verifies the validity and accuracy of the present approach. In addition, classical boundary conditions, such as simply supported and clamped edges, can be investigated by choosing different rotational fixity factors. Furthermore, the features of the employed method that no preselection of trial function and the generality for various boundary conditions enable one to analytically solve static problems for moderately thick plates and thick plates.