A Consistent Approach for Stability Verification of Steel Structures. Issue 4 (14th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nonn, Jonas; Wilden, Vera; Feldmann, Markus
• Is Part Of: Ce/papers. Volume 5:Issue 4(2022)
• Page Start: 1075
• Page End: 1083
• Publication Date: 2022-09-14
• Subjects: General Method -- Stability; Civil engineering -- Periodicals; 624
• DOI: 10.1002/cepa.1853
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2509-7075

Abstract

Abstract: The "General Method" according to chapter 6.3.4 of EN1993‐1‐1 [1] or 8.3.4 of prEN1993‐1‐1 [2] deals with the verification of stability problems of frame and beam structures with loadings in‐plane. The "General method" according to Eurocode is intended for the general case of a combined moment and normal force. For the choice of the reduction factor χop, there are two options for applying the reduction curve, either the minimum of that of lateral torsional buckling (LTB) and flexural buckling (FB) or a weighted combination of both. With the use of analytical derivations, it can be shown that this approach leads to inconsistencies which can possibly lead to incorrect results. The intended generality of the EC3 formulation therefore should be put under scrutinizing. The approach presented in this paper can solve this problem and leads to unification, which allows the verification of stability of e.g. an entire frame system directly and without interaction factors (as in the equivalent member method). In addition, the issue of a consistent equivalent imperfection is addressed. With the use of the General Method non‐linear analyses of structures showing out‐of‐plane instability can be omitted; only an in‐plane calculation and a determination of the critical load is necessary. Finally, examples are presented in this paper that demonstrate the application of the approach shown.