Inelastic Finite Element Analysis of Lateral Buckling for Beam Structures

The inelastic lateral-torsional buckling resistance of real I-beam loaded by uniform moment was the subject of parametric studies using nonlinear finite elements, covering various initial imperfections as initial axis curvature, material properties, residual stress, etc. The ANSYS software package was used. The finite element SOLID185 was applied to study the inelastic failures of beams. The finite element analysis considers both geometrical and material nonlinearities. The static inelastic resistance was calculated for various beam lengths, and compared with elastic resistance and with resistances based on the Eurocode buckling curves.