Modified Pivotal Plot for Critical Load Calculation of A Rectangular Plate under Edge Compression

The paper presents a method of estimating the experimental critical load and initial imperfection of a rectangular plate under edge compression from the load deflection measurement. By using the concept of ‘Pivotal Points’ the load deflection results are plotted in a straight line form where the intercept gives the critical load and the slope is the initial imperfection. Initial imperfection up to thickness of the plate can be handled.The method was applied to various published data and was shown to give accurate results.