LATERAL-TORSIONAL BUCKLING OF NONPRISMATIC I-BEAMS

A finite-element formulation for the lateral-torsional buckling analys is of nonprismatic I-beams is developed. The formulation is capable of analyzing continuous I-beams with a linear or quadratic taper within acceptable accuracy. The influence of warping deformations of the sect ion and location of the member loads at different cross-section points are included in the formulation. Finite-element solution convergence is studied based on available experimental and numerical results. A pa rametric study on the lateral-torsional buckling strength is carried o ut for different forms and degrees of taper, loading, and support cond itions for single-span and two-span continuous beams. The buckling str ength of beams with various degrees of taper and number of spans are a lso investigated.