A numerical approach combining the finite element method with two different stability criteria namely the Budiansky and the phase-plane buckling criteria is used to study the dynamic buckling phenomena of plate and shell structures subjected to sudden applied loading. In the finite element analysis an explicit time integration scheme is used and the two criteria are implemented in the Finite Element analysis. The dynamic responses of the plate and shell structures have been investigated for different values of the plate and shell imperfection factors. The results indicate that the dynamic buckling time, which is normally considered in predicting elasto-plastic buckling behavior, should be taken into consideration with the buckling criteria for elastic buckling analysis of plate and shell structures. By selecting proper control variables and incorporating them with two dynamic buckling criteria, the unique dynamic buckling load can be obtained and the problems of ambiguity and contradiction of dynamic buckling load of plate and shell structure can be resolved.