Elastic local buckling of perforated webs of steel cellular beam–column elements

In this study, the finite element method is employed to determine the critical in-plane longitudinal load at which elastic local buckling of the web of cellular beam–column elements occurs. To simplify the simulation of the problem, the interaction between the flanges and perforated web is approximated by modelling the web only as a long plate having aspect ratio (L/hw≥10)(L/hw≥10) with multiple circular perforations. The utilized model incorporates restrained out-of-plane displacements along the four edges of the plate. Analyzed plates are subjected to linearly varying in-plane loads to simulate various combinations of axial and flexural stresses. The effect of different geometrical parameters on the elastic buckling load of perforated web plate is investigated. These geometrical parameters include the plate’s length and width, and the perforations’ diameter and spacing. Comprehensive finite element analyses are conducted to identify the behaviour of wide spectrum of perforated web plates at buckling under various combinations of axial compressive load and bending moment. Outcomes of the study are expected to enhance the understanding of the elastic local buckling of web plates of cellular beam–column elements.

Research highlights
► Different parameters are incorporated in an extensive finite element analysis.
► The peak elastic buckling stress occurs at a hole spacing defined by s/hw≈1.5s/hw≈1.5.
► No change in the buckling coefficient, kk, for s/d>3.5s/d>3.5.
► For a compressed cellular plate with s/d>3.5,ks/d>3.5,k converges to that of a solid plate.