Lets consider a case where the supports are spaced 1.75" apart (the supports are 1.5" wide). The hole is centered between these supports and is slotted, 1.7" long and 1" wide. The load is applied as a point load via a bolt. The plate is 3/8" thk and bolted to the supports with 4- 1/2" dia. bolts (one in each corner). The plate is supposed to be rated for a 55 kip point load. However, I have analyzed the plate using plate theory and the results suggest the maximum allowable point load is around 5 kips. My co worker analyzed the plate using beam theory and suggests, if we increase the plate thk to 5/8" this would be adequate to support the 55 kip load. I disagree, any comments?