• Advances in materials Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.59-73
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• 2022

In the construction industry, thin-walled frame elements with very slender open cross-sections and low torsional stiffness are often subjected to a complex loading condition where axial, bending, shear and torsional stresses are present simultaneously. Hence, these often fail in instability even before the yield capacity is reached. One of the most common instability conditions associated with thin-walled structures is Lateral Torsional Buckling (LTB). In this study, a first order Generalized Beam Theory (GBT) formulation and numerical analysis of cold-formed steel lipped channel beams (C80×40×10×1, C90×40×10×1, C100×40×10×1, C80×40×10×1.6, C90×40×10×1.6 and C100×40×10×1.6) subjected to uniform moment is carried out to predict pure Lateral Torsional Buckling (LTB). These results are compared with the Finite Element Analysis of the beams modelled with shell elements using ABAQUS and analytical results based on Euler's buckling formula. The mode wise deformed shape and modal participation factors are obtained for comparison of the responses along with the effect of varying the length of the beam from 2.5 m to 10 m. The deformed shapes of the beam for different modes and GBTUL plots are analyzed for comparative conclusions.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.621-640
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• 2017

This paper reports the numerical investigation conducted to study the influence of Local-Distortional (L-D) interaction mode buckling on post buckling strength erosion in fixed ended lipped channel cold formed steel columns. This investigation comprises of 81 column sections with various geometries and yield stresses that are carefully chosen to cover wide range of strength related parametric ratios like (i) distortional to local critical buckling stress ratio ($0.91{\leq}F_{CRD}/F_{CRL}{\leq}4.05$) (ii) non dimensional local slenderness ratio ($0.88{\leq}{\lambda}_L{\leq}3.54$) (iii) non-dimensional distortional slenderness ratio ($0.68{\leq}{\lambda}_D{\leq}3.23$) and (iv) yield to non-critical buckling stress ratio (0.45 to 10.4). The numerical investigation is carried out by conducting linear and non-linear shell finite element analysis (SFEA) using ABAQUS software. The non-linear SFEA includes both geometry and material non-linearity. The numerical results obtained are deeply analysed to understand the post buckling mechanics, failure modes and ultimate strength that are influenced by L-D interaction with respect to strength related parametric ratios. The ultimate strength data obtained from numerical analysis are compared with (i) the experimental tests data concerning L-D interaction mode buckling reported by other researchers (ii) column strength predicted by Direct Strength Method (DSM) column strength curves for local and distortional buckling specified in AISI S-100 (iii) strength predicted by available DSM based approaches that includes L-D interaction mode failure. The role of flange width to web depth ratio on post buckling strength erosion is reported. Then the paper concludes with merits and limitations of codified DSM and available DSM based approaches on accurate failure strength prediction.