An Analysis of Current Stability Theories for Thin-Walled Members

Abstract

There are two different formulae available for calculating the critical moments of thin-walled beams under transverse loads. They give quite different results for beams with monosymmetrical cross-sections. This paper reviews the stability theories for thin-walled beams and identifies some points which might be present and have led to the current situation of the buckling moment formulae for the beams. Finally a new theory proposed by the authors is briefly introduced and a rational way for establishing a general buckling theory for thin-walled members is proposed.