Lateral–Torsional Buckling of Suspended I-Shape Lifting Beams

Abstract

The equations commonly used in practice for the design of beams are based on the assumption that the members are restrained against lateral displacement and twist at the ends of the unbraced length. Beams suspended by wire rope or other flexible elements, such as lifting beams, are not restrained as such. Thus, the buckling behavior of suspended beams can be expected to vary from that predicted by the common design equations. This note examines the lateral–torsional buckling behavior of suspended I-shaped beams. A correction factor by which existing beam-design equations can be modified to provide a practical means of accounting for the buckling behavior of suspended beams is evaluated. The use of this correction factor for I-shaped beams has been tested by comparison to published experimental data.