Bending Performance of Folded Roof Plates as Continuous Braces for Lateral Buckling of H-shaped Beams

Abstract

Non-structural elements such as rectangular corrugated roof plates are usually set up on the upper flange of beams. Previous study has shown that non-structural elements have bracing effect to lateral buckling of H-shaped beams as continuous braces. Different to usual lateral braces, rotational stiffness of continuous braces play a big role in preventing lateral buckling. However, when yield strength of folded roof plates is less than the required stiffening force of the beams, stiffness decreases and the effect of bracing mentioned in the previous study cannot be exerted. In this study, bending tests and FEM analysis are used to find out the strength and the deformation capacity of two kinds of folded roof plates with different cross sections in order to be used as continuous braces.