Sensitivity analysis of the elastic buckling of cracked plate elements under axial compression

Cracks of any size may occur at various locations and orientations throughout thin-walled structures. The presence of cracks in such structures can considerably affect their load bearing behaviour. This paper addresses a finite element study on the buckling strength of a cracked plate with simple supports subjected to an axial compressive edge load. The effects of crack location, crack orientation, crack length and plate aspect ratio are analysed. The size of the crack as well as its location and orientation are shown to have significant effects on the buckling behaviour of the plate under compressive loading. Some new results are also discussed in detail.