Elastic stability of plates with circular and rectangular holes subjected to axial compression and bending moment

In this paper linear buckling analyses of square and rectangular plates with circular and rectangular holes in various positions subjected to axial compression and bending moment are developed. The aim is to give some practical indications on the best position of the circular hole and the best position and orientation of rectangular holes in steel plates, when axial compression and bending moment act together. Two different orientations are considered for rectangular holes: holes with major dimension parallel to the vertical plate axis (RS holes) and major dimension parallel to horizontal plate axis (RL holes). The effect of bending moment on the stability of the plate is studied and some differences with respect to the uniform compression load case are shown. Some design suggestions on the best orientation of rectangular for stability purposes are given. The influence of dimension and position of perforations on linear buckling behaviour and, in particular, on buckling coefficient of the plate is observed. Some practical design formulations for the calculation of the buckling coefficient, taking into account (a) dimensions and shape (square and rectangular) of the plate, (b) dimensions and shape (circular and rectangular) of the hole, (c) position of the hole (centre in the "maximum" and in the "nodal" point), (d) orientation (RS and RL) of the rectangular hole, and (e) load configuration (uniform compression, combinations of axial compression and bending and pure bending) are finally proposed. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.