Numerical study of the sectional-global interaction buckling of stainless steel beams

This report describes a numerical study into the sectional-global interaction buckling of stainless steel open-section beams. The sectional buckling covers the local and distortional buckling, and the global buckling refers to flexural-torsional buckling. Detailed finite element (FE) models were developed for I-section and lipped-channel section beams using the software package ABASUS, incorporating the actual measured material properties and geometric imperfections. The models were created using shell elements and were therefore capable of capturing both sectional and overall buckling behaviour. The models were verified against the tests results obtained from two series of experiments carried out at the University of Sydney. The calibrated FE models were then simplified and used in a parametric study, covering a wide range of section slenderness and overall buckling slenderness values. The results form a database for further theoretical study.