Computational study demonstrates exact flexural-torsional buckling prediction in thin-walled beam-columns, highlighting an efficient tool for structural stability analysis.
Key Points
To formulate an extended matrix stiffness method for the exact flexural-torsional buckling analysis of non-funicular thin-walled beam-columns subjected to general loads applied at arbitrary cross-section heights.
Extended the Yang and McGuire second-order stiffness matrix by incorporating the eccentricity of uniformly distributed transverse loads into the total potential energy via a superposition principle.
Validated the superposition formulation using an independent variational derivation and implemented it within a standard matrix stiffness framework.
Tested the method against classical analytical solutions and shell finite element models across three benchmark problems: combined axial-bending loads, moment gradients, and distributed loads at varied heights.
Derived an improved element second-order stiffness matrix that directly captures load height eccentricity effects for distributed loading.
Achieved close agreement with both classical analytical solutions and high-fidelity shell finite element simulations across all benchmark cases without requiring dense numerical meshing.