Nwachukwu, Uchechukwu Christopher2026-03-172026-03-172019-11Nwachukwu, U. C. (2019). Buckling analysis of thin rectangular plates under vibration using split-deflection method [Unpublished Master's Thesis]. Federal University of Technology, Owerrihttps://repository.futo.edu.ng/handle/20.500.14562/2406This thesis is for the award of Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) in Civil EngineeringThis study presents buckling analysis of thin rectangular plates under vibration using split-deflection method. In this method, the deflection functions are split into x and y components. Applying the split – deflection equation into principles of theory of elasticity, total potential energy functional was derived. By minimization of the potential energy functional, the governing equation for critical buckling loads for rectangular plates under vibration was obtained. Shape functions containing orthogonal trigonometry-trigonometry, orthogonal polynomial-polynomial and orthogonal polynomial-trigonometry are obtained for the six plates studied in this work. The boundary conditions considered were simple support and clamp support. The non – dimensional critical buckling loads for the various rectangular plates were obtained at various aspect ratios (ranging from 1 to 2) and resonating frequency ratios (ranging from 0 to 1). The non – dimensional critical buckling loads obtained using polynomial shape functions were compared with those given by Ibearugbulem in 2014. For rectangular plates simply supported at all edges, the percentage differences at the various aspect ratios (1 to 2) and various resonating frequency ratios (0 to 1) ranges 0.000% to 0.006%. It is clear from this study that the percentage differences recorded for rectangular plates of other boundary conditions are insignificant. This showed that the past and present results are in good agreement. Hence, it is recommended that rectangular plates with boundary conditions different from the ones studied here should be considered by further research works.enAttribution 4.0 InternationalSplit-deflectiontotal potential energy functionaltrigonometric functionspolynomial functionsrectangular plate boundary conditionsnon – dimensional critical buckling loadsDepartment of Civil EngineeringMaster’s Thesis