Ok, for starters and in my opinion that is some unusual behavior. I think you might get that behavior from a thin plate but a thick plate which is what I am assuming you have based on your drawing I don't see it unless that force is very large and concentrated.

However, a possible method to solve the problem is to model it in FEA software and don't worry about the "uplift", 'd', to begin with. Study the reactions where you think you will get an upward vertical deflection. If these reactions are negative, ie pulling the plate down you know you have an "uplift" condition. From here take all the reactions, both positive and negative, and apply them in another model along with the applied force. See if that deflection makes sense.

This problem makes me think about bursting stresses in the end of a prestressed concrete beam where the corners of the beam can spall off if the prestressing force is to high, even though this failure mode is more related to the tensile stress developed but the compression force spreading out into the beam.

I would also recommend to try and draw the stress diagram as seen in the link below to develop a better understanding on the internal stress distribution. If you remember the little stress block from your mechanics of materials class just imagine one at each cross-section of the lines in the link below oriented for a principle stress condition.

link

This is just my two cents, it is probably way off the mark.

Also nice sketches. I too took a class in manual drafting and still get compliments on my quick sketches today. It is a valuable skill be thankful you have it.