Local Buckling of Hollow Structural Sections

Abstract

An analytical technique for predicting the local buckling behavior of thin‐walled sections was used to predict elastic and inelastic local buckling capacities of axially loaded hollow structural sections. The technique, similar to a finite strip method, is based on the principle of virtual work and uses a Rayleigh‐Ritz solution procedure. The effects of manufacturing process and interaction between adjacent plates are included in the formulation. The method is verified by comparing predicted loads with available test results and known elastic solutions of plate buckling. Various parameters considered to be significant in affecting local buckling capacities of hollow structural sections are evaluated.