Comparison on Calculation Method for Post-Buckling Strength of Thin-Webbed I-Shape Member

Abstract

The thin-webbed I-shaped members are used as the basic members for beams and columns of steel buildings in order to increase utilization ratio of steel. The local buckling can occur for these members because of the large width-thickness ratio and these members have a substantial post-buckling strength which can be used. Different codes in China have different estimation method for substantial post-buckling strength of thin-webbed I-shaped members. So it is very necessary to establish the same calculation method to consider post-buckling strength for different china codes. In this paper the effective width estimation methods of technical specification for steel structure of light weight buildings with gabled frames (CECS 102-2002), code for design of steel structures (GB50017-2003), technical code of cold-formed thin-wall steel structures (GB50018-2002), America specification (AISC: 2005), European specification (E3-1.5:2006), and Winter equation are introduced simply. The effective area of thin-webbed I-shaped members with different width-thickness ratio in web and slenderness ratio are estimated using these codes. Comparison of these estimated results show that CECS 102-2002, GB50017-2003, AISC: 2005, Winter equation, and E3-1.5:2006 may be conservative or unsafe for members with different slenderness ratio or width-thickness ratio of web. GB50018-2002 is applicable for members with different slenderness ratio or width-thickness ratio of web without considering interaction between flange and web of members and can be used to estimate the effective area of thin-webbed I-shaped members. At the same time, the calculated method of post-buckling strength of thin-webbed I-shaped members in CECS 102-2002 and GB50017-2003 could use the same method as GB50018-2002.