Local buckling of I-sections bent about the minor axis

Abstract The paper presents a modification to an existing semi-analytical complex finite strip method of analysis to incorporate inelastic local buckling based on the deformation theory of plasticity. The method is programmed to investigate the local buckling of doubly-symmetric I-section beams bent about the minor axis. Buckling curves are derived for a variety of geometries. The limiting width to thickness ratios given in the Australian AS4100 for beams bent about the minor axis are shown to agree well with the finite strip predictions.