Details of a dual-actuator rig developed for testing rectangular plates simply supported on three sides, with the remaining (longitudinal) edge free, under combined uni-axial compression and in-plane bending are presented. Particular attention is given to ensuring a constant strain eccentricity to the loaded ends, as opposed to a constant load eccentricity, in order to determine the post-buckling behavior and ultimate load and moment capacities of unstiffened thin-walled elements. Strain gradients varying from pure compression to pure bending are facilitated. The plate test results are presented in the form of strength curves, and are used to establish effective width equations for the strain gradients tested. The applicability of using elastic or plastic effective widths for unstiffened elements under strain gradients is discussed.
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