A method for the analysis of the buckling of plane structural panels subjected to creep environments is presented and evaluated. The method is written matrically for simplified programming for a modern digital computer installation. A suitable sequence of computer operations is described in detail. The sequence of computer operations includes an automatic, iterative solution of the nonlinear matrix equation for large deflections;the effects of both 3hort-time and time -dependent plastic deformations are included via a semi-automatic, incremental approach. The method is for mulated for the general case of initial eccentricities, and their effects are explicitly described. The limiting case of a structure without initial eccentricity can be investigated on the basis of an eigenvalue definition available at an early stage of the computing process. Test-theory comparisons are presented for a series of structural panels subjected to eccentric, in-plane, compressive loading and elevated temperatures. It is concluded that the method is economically practical and theoretically sound. For cases of elastic and short-time plastic deformations, the method should be of immediate practical value throughout the industry, Major improvements in the precision of available creep data are required for exploitation of the method in the analysis of cases involving creep.
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