Linear elastic lateral buckling (including shear deformation) and linear elastic lateral torsional buckling of composite beams – An analytical engineering approach

J.P.B.N. Derks

FE IT Consultant, Etten-Leur, the Netherlands (info@feitconsult.nl)

This article outlines a concise and complete versatile novel analytical framework to quickly and effectively assess lateral shear (knik) and lateral torsional buckling (kip) of composite beams build of sections with different lengths. The adjective "composite" includes dissimilar beam cross-sections (beam profiles) and distinct beam materials. The major aim is to provide engineers with an accurate, simple but elegant, practically applicable and analytical beam buckling tool based on advanced solid theoretical propositions or background. The justification of the analytical theory is supplied by demonstration of executed numerical tests (i.e. finite element method), which affirm the validity of the proposed analytical buckling models adapted to the considered beam buckling cases.

Key words: Lateral buckling, lateral torsional buckling, composite beam, analytical formulation, shear deformation, linear elasticity