EFFECTS OF MOMENT DISTRIBUTION ON LATERAL-TORSIONAL BUCKLING STRENGTH OF ROLLED STEEL I-BEAMS

Inelastic lateral-torsional buckling strength of steel beams depends markedly on the location and extent of high moment regions causing the reductions in sectional regidities.Rolled I-sections with two different sizes are tested carefully under a concentrated load at the central point and two equal concentrated loads at the one third points of simply supported beams, respectively. The test results of load-deformation curves and strength variations are compared with both loading conditions. Appropriate design strength formulas for the various load patterns of beams are also discussed by a review of the available experimental data on the ultimate strength of stocky beams.