IMPROVED SHEAR-STRENGTH OF WEBS DESIGNED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LRFD SPECIFICATION

The dependence of the LRFD design rules for shear resistance on the we b elastic local buckling coefficient is demonstrated. A finite strip m ethod of analysis, based on complex arithmetic and that incorporates s hear, is then used to derive elastic local buckling coefficients that incorporate the restraint provided by the flanges of an I-section memb er. It is shown by an example how these enhanced buckling coefficients lead to greater calculated shear strengths, thereby producing economi es in the use of steel.