Shear of Thin Plates with Flexible Edge Members

Expressions for the stiffness of plain shear panels with rigid edge beams are considered. The effect of edge member flexibility on the angle of diagonal tension is examined, and an expression for the load intensity on edge members, assuming a sinusoidal distribution, is derived in terms of a correction factor. By assuming the strain energy of the sheet and edge members and equating it to the external work done, the shear stiffness of the panel is found. Consideration is given to the factors that cause the actual load-deflection relationship in shear panels to be nonlinear. The predicted behavior of panels is similar to results of model tests, which show the profound effects of edge member flexibility.