Abstract
The paper presents a summary of analyses of the error which is inherent in a solution of local buckling strength obtained by the finite difference method. Approximate amounts of error which appear in the final results of this buckling analysis are explored on each source of error. Basic difference error was illustrated analytically for a simply supported plate at the unloaded edges. Similarly, the error due to approximate representation of boundary conditions was analyzed on a plate fixed at the two unloaded edges. Error limits by concentrating the non-uniform stress distribution at a mesh point were explored. It was concluded that the error present in a solution of this buckling problem by the finite difference method can be estimated.
