Series of analyses have been carried out applying the FEM and the approximate analytical method to examine the buckling and post-buckling behaviour of plates subjected to combined thrust and lateral pressure as well as buckling/plastic collapse behaviour. By the FEM, static/dynamic elastic and elastoplastic large deflection analyses are performed, whereas the elastic large deflection analyses by the approximate analytical method. In both analyses, lateral pressure is firstly applied to a certain level, and then the thrust. It has been found that: (1) The post-buckling deflection mode of plate under combined thrust and lateral pressure does not necessarily coinside with the buckling mode without lateral pressure. Higher mode appears in general under higher pressure. (2) Approximate analytical method can be applied with appropriate adoption of deflection components when lateral pressure is not so large. (3) There exists certain lateral pressure at which ultimate compressive strength abruptly changes. This pressure corresponds to that at which post-buckling deflection mode changes. (4) Lateral pressure reduces the ultimate compressive strength of bottom plating of ship structure according to its magnitude. The ultimate strength is much more reduced due to bi-axial compression when the plate is assumed to be simply supported along stiffeners.