Experiments on elastically braced castellated beams

Castellated beams are widely used as flexural members in steel construction. The economical and structural advantages of these elements have prompted many researchers to investigate the failure behavior of such structures. Despite numerous reported researches on the buckling stability of castellated beams, no experimental study is found on lateral–torsional buckling of these elements with elastic bracing. In this paper, the experimental study of nine full-scale castellated beams is reported with the aim of investigation of the performance as well as effect of elastic bracing on the buckling stability of these structural elements. In addition to the presentation of the experimental observations and findings, the current test results are compared with the results of other reported experimental, analytical and numerical studies. Ultimately, the experimental findings and results are evaluated by considering the AISC 360–05 code requirements and predictions.

► Buckling stability of laterally-braced castellated beams is studied experimentally.
► Test results and findings are consistent with the results of other published studies.
► Torsion center in castellated beams is determined experimentally.
► Agreement between test results and analytical predictions is fairly satisfactory.
► Subject of lateral bracing is fairly satisfactorily addressed by the AISC 360 code.