STUDY ON PLATE BUCKLING COEFFICIENTS OF AXIAL COMPRESSION MEMBERS WITH I-SHAPED SECTIONS

The plate buckling coefficient is controlled by the web-flange interaction amongst the elements comprising the cross section, and influences the elastic critical stress of cross-section (plate) directly. Based on classical elastic plate buckling theory and CUFSM software, the relationship between buckling coefficients and section dimensions is investigated. The data indicates that the results from these two methods are mostly consistent, but quite different in some special cases. These facts prove that the CUFSM software has limitation in calculating elastic local buckling loads. The simplified formulas of buckling coefficients are obtained according to the results of 175 hot rolled sections. Compared with other current solutions, the formulas proposed in this paper can achieve more accurate predictions and can be used in Direct Strength Method or width-thickness limits.