Numerical lateral buckling analysis of aluminium alloy beams with channel sections

Abstract

This research paper presents the numerical analysis of lateral-torsional buckling of aluminium alloy beams with channel cross-section. Analysed structural elements are simply supported beams, with line load uniformly distributed over the top flange, in the direction towards the centroid of the cross-section and in the middle of the top flange. Numerical analysis is conducted using the finite elements software ABAQUS. The purpose of this analysis is estimation of appropriateness of the equation for elastic critical moment for lateral buckling of beams with uniform cross-sections, symmetrical only about the major axis, according to EN 1999-1-1.