Random field of initial deflections and strength of thin rectangular plates

The use of an integral measure of initial deflections of thin plates, based on the strain energy, has proved to be of importance in studying the influence of the imperfections on the strength of plates subjected to in-plane compression. The energy measure allows for a straightforward definition of compound modes and for a computational determination of the lower bound strength. The last quantity may be essential for assessment of plate design strength considering the imperfections as a random field.