Estimate the approximate center deflection and bending stress of a rectangular metal plate under a uniformly distributed load.
E is Young's modulus, t is plate thickness, ν is Poisson's ratio and D is classical plate bending rigidity.
What is plate deflection? Plate deflection is the displacement of a plate away from its original flat plane under load. The maximum value for a uniformly loaded rectangular plate commonly occurs near the center.
Does thickness make a big difference? Yes. Classical bending rigidity varies approximately with the cube of thickness. Doubling thickness can therefore increase bending stiffness by roughly eight times within the applicable linear theory.
Will aluminum bend more than steel? For the same plate dimensions and load, aluminum normally deflects more because its Young's modulus is much lower than steel's.
What type of load does this calculator use? The primary model uses a uniformly distributed transverse load over the entire rectangular plate.
Can I enter pressure in kPa? Yes. The calculator also accepts Pa, N/mm², psi and pounds per square foot.
What does the deflection-to-thickness ratio mean? It compares calculated center deflection with plate thickness. A large ratio indicates that small-deflection assumptions may become less appropriate and nonlinear behavior may matter.
Does clamping reduce plate deflection? Generally yes. A fixed edge restricts rotation and can significantly increase effective plate stiffness compared with a simply supported edge.
Can this calculate a plate with a point load? No. The main model assumes a uniformly distributed load. A concentrated load can create different global and local behavior and requires an appropriate point-load model.
Can this be used for a floor or platform? It can provide an educational preliminary estimate, but actual floor and platform design requires checking concentrated loads, support details, vibration, yielding, buckling and applicable structural standards.