Nonlinear Bending Response and Buckling of Channel Section Beams of Finite Length under Minor-Axis Pure Bending

Abstract

In this paper, the geometric nonlinear bending response of channel-section beams of finite length is investigated by using energy methods. The basic assumptions used in the present study are that the total strain energy of a channel-section beam subjected to pure bending can be simplified into a two-stage analysis process. One is the local bending response of the web behaving as the plate; the other is the overall bending response as a beam with flattened section. Analytical solutions for both static and dynamic instabilities of channel section beams of finite length subjected to pure bending about its minor axis are derived by applying the minimum potential energy principle. To validate the analytical solution developed, geometric nonlinear finite element analyses are also conducted. Good agreement between the present solution and the FEA results is demonstrated. The effect of beam's length on the critical load is also discussed.