Elasto‐Plastic Analysis of Box‐Beam‐Columns Including Local Buckling Effects

Abstract

A nonlinear finite element procedure for the pre‐ and postbuckling analysis of thin‐walled box‐section beam‐columns is presented. The influence of local plate buckling upon the overall ultimate buckling behavior of the member is incorporated in the analysis by adopting a set of modified‐stress‐versus‐strain curves for axially loaded plates. Factors such as residual stresses, associated with hot‐rolled and cold‐formed sections, and initial geometrical imperfections are accounted for in the analysis. A number of examples are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the method.