Torsional Restraint against Elastic Lateral Buckling

Abstract

It is well known that a central elastic torsional restraint restricts the lateral buckling shape of an elastic I-beam and increases its elastic flexural-torsional buckling resistance. However, available information on the effects of torsional restraints on elastic buckling are either incomplete, or in some cases inaccurate. This paper investigates the effects of moment distribution and load height on the elastic flexural-torsional buckling of beams with central torsional restraints. The effects of off-center and continuous restraints are also studied, and design approximations and procedures are developed.