Analytical and experimental evaluation of stresses in elastic annuli subjected to three-point loading on the outer surface

Abstract An analytical solution based on the implementation of the Fourier series is presented for the full-field analysis of stresses in an annular plate subjected to external force loadings uniformly distributed over three small segments of the outer periphery when two of those segments are symmetrical about the diameter passing through the center of the third segment. This problem refers to an annular plate which rests upon two equidistant platens when compressed by a vertical locally-distributed force. The obtained theoretical results are compared with a series of photoelastic experiments for different distances between the loaded segments of the rim.  The feasibility of the mathematical model for the mixed-type boundary conditions is analyzed by comparison of the experimental results, the theoretical analysis, and FEM numerical simulation.