DEFLECTIONS OF AN INFINITE PLATE

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Research
• Main Author: Wyman, Max
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1950
• Subjects: General Medicine; Ice Sheet
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjr50a-025; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/cjr50a-025

Problems associated with the thickness of ice sheets on Canadian lakes led the author to investigate mathematically the deflection of a loaded plate resting upon an elastic foundation. Certain simplifying assumptions, which appear to be not unreasonable, permit the solutions obtained to be applied to the strength of a floating ice sheet. Relations for maximum stress and maximum deflections in terms of known functions are derived, both for a concentrated load and a uniform load distributed over a circular area. The resulting expressions should be tested experimentally to determine their domain of validity. Owing to similarity of conditions, these results may also be applied to the design of concrete roadways and airport runways.