Buckling and post-buckling analyses of composite cellular beams

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the buckling and post-buckling analyses of composite cellular beams. For this, the numerical model is calibrated by experimental tests via post-buckling analysis. A parametric study is developed, considering six cross sections. For each section, the opening diameter and web post length are varied. Regarding the buckling analyses for the symmetrical sections, it was concluded that the end post is an important parameter in the strength of composite cellular beams that presents high web slenderness. The smaller the opening diameter, the greater the critical global shear. The variation in the height of the cellular beam had a little influence on larger diameters and web posts widths. Considering asymmetric sections, it was verified that the web post buckling did not happen for the first buckling mode. In this scenario, local web buckling of the upper tee was observed. With the height variation, there was an increase in the global shear. This is due to the fact that with the increase in height, the buckling mode was changed to the WPB, instead of local web buckling. Finally, there was a conservatism in the SCI P355 calculation recommendations, a factor that needs to be revised.