Buckling Analysis of Plates via the Energy Finite Difference Method (EFDM) under Temperature Gradients

Abstract

This study aims to employ the Energy Finite Difference Method (EFDM) to analyze the buckling behavior of plates subjected to temperature gradients. The proposed methodology builds upon the classical Finite Difference Method (FDM), integrating energy principles to establish a more robust structural analysis framework. This approach enables numerical solutions with enhanced accuracy, accounting for coupled thermal and instability effects. Buckling is a critical phenomenon in two-dimensional structures, such as plates and shells, and can be significantly influenced by thermal variations, which induce material expansion and contraction. These thermal effects, combined with mechanical loading conditions, may substantially alter structural behavior. The developed method was applied to analyze plates under various thermal and mechanical loading configurations. Results were assessed through comparisons with analytical solutions and existing literature data. The findings demonstrate the efficacy of EFDM in accurately modeling buckling phenomena, highlighting its potential as a reliable tool for stability analysis of structures exposed to thermal gradients.