Effective lengths of laterally continuous, laterally unsupported steel beams

1985 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 603-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Calvin D. Schmitke ◽  
D. J. Laurie Kennedy

Laterally unsupported steel beams of sufficient length may fail by elastic or inelastic lateral–torsional buckling. The fundamental equations governing elastic lateral–torsional buckling, taking into account such parameters as the shape of the bending moment diagram, the level of application of the load, and the effect of end restraints to lateral movement and to twist, are reviewed. Provisions in the current CSA Standard CAN3-S16.1-M84 are discussed. The methods currently available for dealing with the interactive lateral–torsional buckling of laterally continuous beams are evaluated statistically. Two new methods for considering this interaction, called the iterated effective length method and the equivalent beam method, are presented. A statistical evaluation of these methods shows that they are in reasonable agreement with available test data. Resistance factors for use in limit-states design are developed for the existing methods discussed as well as for the new methods. Key words: beam, bending moment, buckling, effective lengths, elastic, inelastic, lateral–torsional buckling, laterally continuous, steel.

1989 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert G. Driver ◽  
D. J. Laurie Kennedy

Design standards provide little information for the design of I-shaped steel beams not loaded through the shear centre and therefore subjected to combined flexure and torsion. In particular, methods for determining the ultimate capacity, as is required in limit states design standards, are not presented. The literature on elastic analysis is extensive, but only limited experimental and analytical work has been conducted in the inelastic region. No comprehensive design procedures, applicable to limit states design standards, have been developed.From four tests conducted on cantilever beams, with varying moment–torque ratios, it is established that the torsional behaviour has two distinct phases, with the second dominated by second-order geometric effects. This second phase is nonutilizable because the added torsional restraint developed is path dependent and, if deflections had been restricted, would not have been significant. Based on the first-phase behaviour, a normal and shearing stress distribution on the cross section is proposed. From this, a moment–torque ultimate strength interaction diagram is developed, applicable to a number of different end and loading conditions. This ultimate limit state interaction diagram and serviceability limit states, based on first yield and on distortion limitations, provide a comprehensive design approach for these members. Key words: beams, bending moment, flexure, inelastic, interaction diagram, I-shaped, limit states, serviceability, steel, torsion, torque, ultimate.


Author(s):  
Vera V Galishnikova ◽  
Tesfaldet H Gebre

Introduction. Structural stability is an essential part of design process for steel structures and checking the overall stability is very important for the determination of the optimum steel beams section. Lateral torsional buckling (LTB) normally associated with beams subject to vertical loading, buckling out of the plane of the applied loads and it is a primary consideration in the design of steel structures, consequently it may reduce the load currying capacity. Methods. There are several national codes to verify the steel beam against LTB. All specifications have different approach for the treatment of LTB and this paper is concentrated on three different methods: America Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), Eurocode (EC) and Russian Code (SP). The attention is focused to the methods of developing LTB curves and their characteristics. Results. AISC specification identifies three regimes of buckling depending on the unbraced length of the member ( Lb ). However, EC and SP utilize a reduction factor (χ LT ) to treat lateral torsional buckling problem. In general, flexural capacities according to AISC are higher than those of EC and SP for non-compact sections.


2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Mantha ◽  
Xi Chen ◽  
Yi Liu

This paper presents results of both an experimental and a finite element study on the lateral torsional buckling behaviour and strength of twin plate girder systems with only discrete torsional braces. Two scaled twin-beam specimens with different arrangements of lateral and torsional braces were tested and results were used to validate the finite element model. The finite element study considered the effect of individual brace member stiffness and the number of braces. Results showed that for twin plate girders braced with only torsional braces, the critical buckling moment has the most significant increase when the number of interior braces increases from two to three. For a given girder section, the increase in the critical moment capacity by increasing the cross-frame member size is minimal. The lateral torsional buckling moment equation as well as the brace force design procedure contained in the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code were examined. A relationship between the ratio of provided-to-required torsional stiffness and the effective length factor was discussed.


2003 ◽  
Vol 03 (04) ◽  
pp. 443-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. CHAN ◽  
A. Y. T. CHU ◽  
F. G. ALBERMANI

A robust computer procedure for the reliable design of scaffolding systems is proposed. The design of scaffolding is not detailed in design codes and considered by many researchers and engineers as intractable. The proposed method is based on the classical stability function, which performs excellently in highly nonlinear problems. The method is employed to predict the ultimate design load capacities of four tested 3-storey steel scaffolding units, and for the design of a 30 m×20 m×1.3 m 3-dimensional scaffolding system. As the approach is based on the rigorous second-order analysis allowing for the P-δ and P-Δ effects and for notional disturbance forces, no assumption of effective length is required. It is superior to the conventional second-order analysis of plotting only the bending moment diagram with allowance for P-Δ effect since it considers both P-Δ and P-δ effects such that section capacity check is adequate for strength and stability checking. The proposed method can be applied to large deflection and stability analysis and design of practical scaffolding systems in place of the conventional and unreliable effective length method which carries the disadvantages of uncertain assumption of effective length factor (L e /L).


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