Estimating the error of the beam approximation in the plane stability problem for a rectangular plate with a central crack

The plane stability problem for a rectangular, linearly elastic, isotropic plate with a central crack is solved. The dependence of the critical load on the crack length is studied using exact (the three-dimensional linearized theory of stability of elastic bodies) and approximate (beam approximation) approaches. The results produced by the beam approach are evaluated.Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 40, No. 11, pp. 117–126, November 2004.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected cover date.