Secondary buckling patterns of a thin plate under in-plane compression

Abstract:

We study the nonlinear deformations of a long rectangular elastic plate clamped along its edges and submitted to in-plane biaxial compression. Using the Föppl-von Kármán equations, we predict various secondary buckling modes according to the applied longitudinal and transverse compressions. A model experiment is carried out in a thin polycarbonate film, and the observed buckling patterns are found in good agreement with theory. Pattern selection in the delamination of compressed thin films is discussed in the light of these results.