Exact solution to the structural instability of a parallel array of mutually attracting identical simply-supported plates

By means of the theory of elasticity, we investigate the structural instability of a parallel array of identical simply-supported plates. One plate interacts with the neighboring plates through surface attractive forces. The proposed method is based on the 2 × 2 transfer matrix for a plate and on the solution of the generalized eigenvalue problem for the plate array. Analytical expressions of the critical interaction coefficients for two, three and four interacting plates are obtained when the end-effect of the plates at the ends of the parallel array and the surface energy of the plates are ignored. The influence of the end-effect and surface energy on the critical interaction coefficient is also numerically studied. Our solution is valid whether the plates are thin or extremely thick.