Elastic Buckling Finite Strip Analysis of the AISC Sections Database and Proposed Local Plate Buckling Coefficients

The objective of this paper is to provide analytical expressions for the elastic cross-section local buckling stress, including element interaction, of hot-rolled steel structural shapes. The cross-section local buckling stress is determined by finite strip analysis. Local stability of each cross-section is considered in axial compression, as well as positive and negative bending about the major and minor axis. All sections in the AISC shapes database are considered, with the exception of pipe sections. The local buckling stresses are converted into plate buckling coefficients (k's) and simplified expressions provided for all observed k's. The plate buckling coefficients (k's) from the finite strip analysis are also compared to the values inherently assumed in the AISC Specification. Significant differences between assumed (AISC) and calculated k values are observed.