flatplate

Flatplate (or flat plate) refers to a flat, planar element whose thickness is small relative to its other dimensions. In general terms, a flat plate can be treated as a two-dimensional surface with uniform thickness and is used across various disciplines as a basic building block or component.

In geometry and materials science, a flat plate is analyzed for stress, bending, and deflection as a relatively thin, wide sheet. In civil and structural engineering, flat-plate construction uses floor and roof slabs without beams or drop panels, forming a grid of slabs supported directly by columns. This approach can simplify formwork and reduce construction time, but may raise concerns about punching shear around columns and larger deflections, especially for heavy loads or longer spans.

In solar energy engineering, flat-plate solar collectors employ a flat absorber plate, coated to maximize solar absorption, enclosed under a transparent cover and backed by insulation. Fluid passes behind or within the absorber to extract heat. These collectors are common in residential water heating and space heating systems, with performance dependent on factors such as tilt, insolation, and thermal losses.

In heat transfer engineering, flat-plate heat exchangers consist of parallel or corrugated flat plates that create narrow flow channels, offering high surface area and compactness, easy cleaning, and good thermal efficiency for certain service conditions.

In antenna technology, flat-plate (planar) antennas use a flat conducting surface to radiate or receive signals, providing a low-profile, lightweight solution suitable for spaceborne, aerospace, or compact terrestrial applications.

The meaning of flatplate varies by context, but always refers to a flat, thin, sheet-like element used as a functional component.