Book excerpt: Elementary Theory of Elastic Plates deals with plate theory, particularly on the elastic behavior of initially flat thin plates subjected to loads, producing deflexions. This book discusses rectangular plates and circular plates subjected to different types of load conditions. This text describes the bending moment and curvature of beams, and gives the formula of principal axes, where the location of a neutral axis that experiences zero stress and strain, can be found. This book also notes how calculations can show small or negligible deflexions. The text discusses Possion's ratio effect and the Mohr's circle relationship. This text analyzes the various loads acting on different parts of the rectangular plate using the Navier method; the Levy's method is taken up when considerations are on other forms of boundary support on the rectangular plate. This book then addresses the circular plate that experiences bending moments and curvatures when it is placed under radially symmetric loads. This text explains the equation that is applicable in a radially symmetric case. This book also addresses understanding approximations of energy in stability problems when there is bending and twisting as shown in a strut with a certain thickness, radial length of the arms, and length of the strut. Engineers, physicists, architects, and designers of industrial equipment subject to heavy loads will appreciate the information found in this book.