Abstract
The flexural behaviour of simply supported steel beams under eccentric lateral load is investigated. Approximate equations to obtain elastic deformation, yiele load, ultimate load and the deterioration of load carrying capacity after maximum load, are presented. Tests of I-beams and channel beams under eccentric lateral load are carried out to know the adequacy of the above equations. The results from the study are as follows. (1) Presented equations to obtain elastic deformation, calculated under individual force, bending or torsion, give the good estimation. (2) Yield load and plastic load can be calculated, taking only the flange plates into account, by superposing the axial strain due to bending moment about strong axis, and the bending strain due to bending moment about weak axis and warping. (3) Average value of yield load and plastic load gives a practical estimation of the ultimate load carrying capacity. (4) It can be considered that, after maximum load, a plastic hinge is formed due to bi-axial bending and the hinge moves along the interaction curve.
