Modeling and Buckling Analysis of Rectangular Plates in ANSYS

With plate-buckling problem still being an active area of research in the field of mechanics of materials, researchers need to validate the proposed solutions and theories, using robust analysis tools such like ANSYS, which is a robust finite element analysis tool. This article investigates modeling and buckling analysis of rectangular plates in ANSYS mechanical APDL through a series of comparative studies conducted on various models and options. Shell and solid models of homogeneous and functionally graded plate (FGP) using various elements are investigated. Expressing boundary conditions on both shell and solid models of plate for buckling analysis is discussed. Procedures of buckling analysis in ANSYS are presented and effects of meshing, boundary conditions and element options are examined though comparative studies. Results obtained from ANSYS are compared to various analytical solutions.