Semi-analytical solution for buckling of SMA thin plates with linearly distributed loads

Buckling analysis of shape memory alloy (SMA) rectangular plates subjected to uniform and linearly distributed in-plane loads is the main objective in the present paper. Brinson\'s model is developed to express the constitutive characteristics of SMA plate. Using the classical plate theory and variational approach, stability equations are derived. In addition to external in-plane mechanical loads, the plate is subjected to the pre-stresses caused by the recovery stresses that are generated during martensitic phase transformation. Ritz method is used for solving the governing stability equations. Finally, the effects of conditions on the edges, thickness, aspect ratio, temperature and pre-strains on the critical buckling loads of SMA plate are investigated in details.