The paper is devoted to a simply supported rectangular plate subjected to two types of compressive edge loads. The first load is applied uniformly along a part of two opposite edges, the second one has a non-uniform distribution (defined by a half wave of the sin^k function). The critical load value of the plate is located between the values for uniformly distributed and concentrated load. Critical value of thickness of the plate is determined. The problem is solved by the orthogonalization method, and the results are compared with those of numerical analysis done by means of the finite element method.