A Study of the Buckling of Some Rectangular CFRP Plates

Abstract

An investigation of the buckling of moderately thick, rectangular CFRP plates is described. The plates are subjected to uniform uniaxial compression, with their loaded edges being clamped and with simple supports provided just inboard of the unloaded edges. The investigation comprises both experimental and theoretical work. Details of the test procedure are given first and these relate to the buckling of four laminated plates, two of the cross-ply and two of the angle-ply type. Brief description is then given of a finite strip method of calculating the buckling loads which is based on the use of Mindlin plate theory and hence takes account of transverse shear effects. Finally, the measured and calculated buckling loads are recorded and compared.