Lateral-Torsional Buckling of Steel I-Beams - An Analytical, Experimental and Numerical Study

Abstract

This thesis compares results from experimental and numerical analyses of structural steel I-beams subjected to lateral-torsional buckling due to a vertical point load located at the mid-span. The aim is to find a suitable finite element model for estimating buckling load and lateral deflection of the beam under increasing load, and to provide information on how beam dimensions affect the results of the numerical simulation relative to the experimental analysis. Fundamental theory of the lateral-torsional buckling of beams is provided, along with previously conducted research on the field.