Steel Column Buckling under Thermal Gradients

Abstract

The buckling loads for wide flange steel columns subject to elevated temperature are determined analytically. Buckling in both the elastic and elastic-plastic range are considered. The buckling loads are determined by solving the governing differential equation using finite differences. Various cases of nonuniform temperature along the length of the member are considered. The influence of elevated temperature on the material properties and the influence of residual stress on the buckling loads is taken into account. Results are presented in the form of column curves relating the critical stress and the column slenderness ratio for various types of boundary conditions.