Experimental and numerical investigation of buckling in rectangular steel plates with groove-shaped cutouts

Steel plates are widely used in various structures, such as the deck and bodies of ships and bridges, and in the aerospace industry. In many instances, these plates are subjected to axial compression loads that predispose the sheets to instability and buckling. In this study, we investigate the buckling and post-buckling behaviors of steel plates having groove-shaped cutouts of various dimensions and angles using finite element method (FEM) (by ABAQUS software) and experimental tests (by an Instron servohydraulic machine). Boundary conditions were clamped by supports at upper and lower ends and free supports at the other edges. The results of both numerical and experimental analyses are compared, which show a very good agreement between them. Finally, based on the experimental findings, formulas are presented for the determination of the buckling load of such plates.