Analysis of equal leg single-angle section beams subjected to biaxial bending and constant axial compressive force

Single-angle section beams are generally loaded parallel to their geometrical axes and their cross-sections are not symmetrical to their principal axes. Even equal leg angle beams have only one symmetrical axis. Many types of loading cause biaxial bending and axial forces in these members. Since single-angle section beams are slender members, they also need to be analyzed in terms of flexural buckling, lateral torsional buckling and local buckling effects. In this study, a calculation procedure is presented to analyze the nominal loads of equal leg angle section beams loaded vertically to the axis of the beam. It is assumed that the axial force is composed of a constant compressive force. The constant axial force is only taken into consideration for the uniform compressive stress and the second-degree effects caused in the cross-section. Thus only the biaxial bending moments remain. The first yield, full plastic and critical lateral torsional buckling moments for biaxial bending are calculated with respect to the slenderness of the beam and the axial force. The nominal design force on the cross-section is calculated according to the load and resistance factor design rules. The analysis proposed for the constant axial load can also be used for other axial forces, by using an iterative calculation procedure.