On the Buckling of Certain Optimum Plate Structures with Linearly Varying Thickness

Summary

This paper is concerned with the buckling under uniform longitudinal compression of a variety of structures composed of plates whose thickness tapers linearly to zero across the section. Such structures include the angle of Fig. 1, the strut of cruciform section of Fig. 2 and the simply-supported strip of Fig. 3. For given cross-sectional area and overall dimensions (e.g. length of arm) the sections with linearly varying thickness achieve a greater buckling load (assuming that local buckling, rather than Euler buckling, is the criterion) than sections with any other smooth variation of thickness. These particular sections are therefore optimum sections and, even if they may not be used in practice, provide a convenient yardstick for purposes of comparison. The buckling loads are considerably greater than those for the corresponding “constant thickness” sections.