ACCURATE CALCULATION OF ELASTIC BUCKLING LOADS FOR SPACE FRAMES BUILT UP OF UNIFORM BEAMS WITH OPEN THIN-WALLED CROSS-SECTION

Abstract

A so-called exact static stiffness matrix for a uniform beam element with open thin-walled cross-section carrying an axial compressive load is derived. This stiffness matrix is useful in an accurate calculation of bifurcation loads and corresponding buckling modes of space frames built up of such beam elements. One may also calculate displacements and sectional forces caused by external joint loads taking into account the second-order effect of the axial beam loads. The exact stiffness matrix is derived by use of the general solution to a set of three coupled differential equations. This means that no preselected shape functions need be introduced and that discretization errors are avoided. The differential equations model coupled Euler–Bernoulli bending in the two principal planes and Saint-Venant/Vlasov torsion and warping with respect to the shear centre axis. No cross-sectional symmetries are assumed. Numerical examples are given. One application will be to loaded pallet racks. The ‘effective length’ for a rack column is calculated.