BUCKLING STRENGTH OF COLUMNS BRACED CONTINUOUSLY WITH VARYING AXIAL FORCE

-Flexural buckling of compressive flange of H-shaped steel restrained by web or slab-

Abstract

The objective of this study is to clarify the relations between the effective length factor and bracing stiffness of continuously braced compression members subjected to linear varying axial force. The buckling equations are derived by using the Rayleigh-Ritz method, and the effective lengths of columns are calculated, taking the bracing stiffness ratio and axial load ratio β as analytical parameters. After showing the relations between the effective length and bracing stiffness, the restraining effects of steel web or slab are discussed. Moreover, the differences between continuous bracing and discrete bracing systems for columns are presented.