Plate Deflection Calculator

Fixed Circular Uniform Load

A circular plate rigidly fixed around its full edge, carrying a uniformly distributed load across its surface, is one of the most common models used for pressure vessel heads, tank ends, and welded-in bulkhead plates under internal pressure. This combination — fixed edge and spread load — gives the lowest deflection and stress of the four circular plate cases on this site, for a given plate size and total load.

For the same load on a plate that's simply supported at its edge instead, see our Simply Supported Circular Uniform Load calculator.

This calculator calculates the Maximum Deflection and Maximum Stress in a Fixed Edge Circular Plate with a Uniform Load.

Enter your values as required and press SOLVE, your results will be displayed. If you change any unit types or values please press SOLVE again.

CLEAR ALL clears all fields.

MATERIAL: Aluminium 2024-T4Aluminium 6061-T6Aluminium 7075-T3BrassCast IronCopperLeadMagnesiumPhosphur BronzeStainless Steel, 304Stainless Steel, 316Steel, S235Steel, S275Steel, S355Steel, 4130Steel, ASTM A36Steel, ASTM A441Titanium, Grade 2Titanium, Grade 5

THICKNESS: (T)

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DIAMETER: (D)

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UNIFORM LOAD: (P)

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MAXIMUM DEFLECTION :(ym)

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MAXIMUM STRESS : (sm)

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RELATED PAGES

• Simply Supported Circular, Uniform Load
• Fixed Circular, Centre Load

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why is this the "best case" of the four circular plate loading combinations?

Fixing the edge reduces deflection compared to a simply supported edge, and spreading the load uniformly reduces peak stress compared to a concentrated centre load — combining both effects gives the lowest overall deflection and stress for a given plate size, thickness, and total load.

Where should I check stress on this type of plate?

Both at the fixed edge (where bending moment peaks for a clamped plate) and at the centre — this calculator reports both locations so you can check whichever governs for your specific plate proportions.