Plate Deflection Calculator

Simply Supported Rectangular Concentrated Load

A rectangular plate simply supported around all four edges, loaded with a concentrated force somewhere on its surface, models a panel resting in a frame or on a ledge (rather than welded or bolted rigidly), carrying a point load such as equipment resting on a floor plate or machine guard. Because rectangular plates bend differently in each direction depending on the aspect ratio (length to width), the location and magnitude of maximum deflection and stress both depend on the plate's proportions, not just its area.

For the same plate carrying a load spread evenly across its surface instead, see our Simply Supported Rectangular Uniform Load calculator. For the same concentrated load on a plate rigidly fixed at its edges, see Fixed Rectangular Concentrated Load.

This calculator calculates the Maximum Deflection and Maximum Stress in a Simply Supported Rectangular Plate with a Concentrated 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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WIDTH: (W)

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LENGTH: (L)

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LOAD DIAMETER: (LD)

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LOAD: (P)

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MAXIMUM DEFLECTION :(ym)

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MAXIMUM STRESS : (sm)

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RELATED PAGES

• Simply Supported Rectangular, Uniform Load
• Fixed Rectangular, Concentrated Load

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does the plate's aspect ratio (length to width) matter for this calculation?

Yes, significantly — a long, narrow rectangular plate behaves increasingly like a one-way spanning beam, while a square plate spreads load more evenly in both directions. Always enter the actual length and width rather than assuming a square plate's behaviour applies.

Where is deflection greatest on a simply supported rectangular plate under a centre point load?

At the centre of the plate, directly under the load, assuming the load is applied at the plate's centre — for an off-centre load, the position of maximum deflection shifts accordingly.