Stability of three-layered annular plate in stationary temperature field

This paper presents the solution to the static stability problem of three-layered, annular plate thermally loaded or mechanically and thermally loaded. The critical static state has been evaluated for the plate differently supported, whose edges are subjected to the action of the stationary temperature field. The problem has been solved analytically and numerically using the approximate methods: orthogonalization and finite difference and numerically with the use of the finite element method. The critical temperature differences and critical mechanical loads of plates located in flat, axisymmetrical temperature field have been calculated solving the eigen-value problem. The numerous calculation results in the form of distributions of critical temperature differences and critical stresses dependent on buckling modes show the static reaction of plate structure on the accepted loads. The discussion of results has been performed comparing the used numerical plate models. Presented investigations have the practical meaning in design process of layered structures of plates working in the conditions of complex loads.