A Finite Integral Transform-Based Generalized Eigenvalue Formulation for Buckling of Orthotropic Rectangular Plates with Rotational Restraints

Although the finite integral transform (FIT) method has been developed for buckling analysis of rectangular thin plates, the existing formulation involves solving complex nonlinear determinantal equations, leading to potentially questionable numerical results. To address this challenge, a new FIT-based formulation is established that transforms the solution of a complex nonlinear equation into that of a straightforward generalized eigenvalue problem. New analytical solutions for buckling of orthotropic rectangular thin plates with rotational restraints are obtained. The solution procedure is implemented via the following four steps: imposing the two-dimensional FIT on the governing equation; inputting deflection conditions of four edges, by which the relations between the transformed deflections and specific unknowns are provided; imposing the one-dimensional FIT on the elastic conditions to replace the unknowns with the transformed deflections, a generalized eigenvalue problem is constructed; determining the final analytical solutions by solving the generalized eigenvalue problem. Comprehensive highly accurate buckling load/mode solutions for typical rotationally restrained orthotropic plates are presented as benchmarks. The effects of boundary conditions, rotational fixity factors, and loading ratios on the buckling behaviors of orthotropic plates are expediently investigated adopting the present solutions.