Plate (structure)

A plate is a structural element which is characterized by two key properties. Firstly, its geometric configuration is a three-dimensional solid whose thickness is very small when compared with other dimensions. Secondly, the effects of the loads that are expected to be applied on it only generate stresses whose resultants are, in practical terms, exclusively normal to the element's thickness.

Thin plates are initially flat structural members bounded by two parallel planes, called faces, and a cylindrical surface, called an edge or boundary. The generators of the cylindrical surface are perpendicular to the plane faces. The distance between the plane faces is called the thickness (h) of the plate. It will be assumed that the plate thickness is small compared with other characteristic dimensions of the faces (length, width, diameter, etc.). Geometrically, plates are bounded either by straight or curved boundaries. The static or dynamic loads carried by plates are predominantly perpendicular to the plate faces.

See also

• Shell

classification of plates - based on the ratio of least lateral dimension to thickness(a/h)of the plate 1. Thick plate when a/h ratio is less than 10 2. thin plates when a/h ratio is between 10 and 80 3. menbranes - when a/h ratio is greater than 80

Thin plates are again classified based on the ratio of deformation to thickness (w/h) of plate 1.stiff plate - when w/h is less than or equal to 0.2 2.Flexible plate- w/h is greater than or equal to 0.3 Reference=