Chapter 5: Torsion Buckling

Flexual bucklingdeforms by bending.

Twisting buckling---tensional stiffness of the member
is very small. Thin-walled open sections
Combination of bending and twistingbending and
twisting are coupled so that one necessarily produces
the other. (1)Axially loaded members whose shear
center axis and centroidal axis do not coincide shcu as
angles and channels. (2)Also transversedly loaded
beams.
Firstly review some fundamental relationships of
torsional behavior in general.

5.1 Elastic torsional and torsional-flexural buckling

of axially loaded columns.
Elastic torsional and torsional-flexural buckling of axially
loaded columns mostly take place in thin-walled columns.
Thin-walled columns are divided into two parts:Open
section,Close section

5.1.1 Fundamental relationships of torsional behavior

of thin-walled open section columns.

Torsional characteristics
columns:section warping

of

thin-walled

open

section

As we all know,noncircular sections of the torsional column are

no longer plane during twisting,but warpingknaggy sections).In
another word,the section has a displacement along the axial
direction.

1The sorts of torsion

Uniform torsion
Nonuniform torsion
Uniform torsion--The member is allowed to warp freely,then
the applied torque is resisted solely by St.Venant shearing
stresses.This type of behavior is referred to as uniform
torsion,pure torsion,mean torsion or St.Venant torsion,as
shown in Fig.1-42;

Nonuniform torsionThe member is restrained from

warping freely,the applied torque is resisted by a combination
of St.Venant shearing stresses and warping torsion (
.This behavior is called nonuniform torsion,as shown in
Fig.1-44.

2Uniform torsion
1Characteristics

If a couple of torques with opposite direction are applied to

the both ends of the thin-walled open section (I section)
column,uniform torsion will occur,as shown in Fig.142.Uniform torsion has two characteristics:
a.the same magnitude of twisting in every section.Thus,the
longitudinal fibers do not have axial strain,and there is no
normal stress but only shear stress caused by torsion in the
section.The distribution of the shear stresses relates to the shape
of the section and it is the same in each section.
b. the longitudinal fibers do not bend,viz.the longitudinal
fibers of the flanges and the web are still in line,there is just an
angle (torsional angle )caused by torsion between the upper
and lower flanges.

2The relationships between M t and

Known as the mechanics of material,to a noncircular section
bar,the relationships between angle of twist Msv and torque
is similar to a circular section bar, and the torsional rate is
constant,

d Msv
=
=
dz GIt
In whichGItorsional
rigidity of the section;
t
Gshearing modulus of elasticity;
torsional constant

It

1.89

For a thin-walled open section made of rectangular

elements,such as I[T and Z sectionthe torsional constant
can be approximated by

1
3
I t = b i (t i )
3

1.90

In which ithe number of the rectangular elements in the

section;

bi

t the
length and thickness of the i element.
i

From Eq.1.89,the relationship between the torsional

angle on the left end and the torque M sv in an arbitrary
sectionz position)is

M sv
=
z
GI t

1.91

3Shear stress
If a thin-walled open section is allowed to warp freely,the
shear stresses in each element are parallel to the middle line of the
cross section,and their magnitude is proportional to the distance
from that line,the shear stress on the middle line is zero(see Fig.143).Shear stress at any point of the flange is

M sv
s =
It

1.92

Fig.1-42,44
For the applied torque is balanced by the moment caused by
shear stresses, if the wall of the section t s is thin,as shown in Fig.144,the length of the shear stress is less and so the higher shear
stress

3Nonuniform torsion

For certain support or loading conditions will prevent

torsional sections from twisting freely,nonuniform torsion occurs.
see Fig.1-44
Fig.1-44
1Characteristics
As shown in Fig.1-44,the characteristics of nonuniform torsion
are
a. Each section of the column is knaggily ()viz. the
longitudinal fibers change in length.
b. Torsional rate changes along the z axes.
As shown in Fig.1-44a,the fixed end of the cantilever beam will
restrain other sections from warping freely,and the closer to the
fixed end the stronger the restraint is.For the different warping
conditions in each section, the longitudinal fibers of the column are
no longer in line but bending.

c. Besides shear stress s caused by St.Venant torsion, there

are normal stress and shear stress caused by warping
torsion in the section which are called warping normal stress
and warping shear stress, respectively. Sector normal stress
and sector shear stress, respectively because of the sector
coordination

2The relationships between M tand

Restrained torsionSt.Venant Torsionwarping torsion
Restrained torsional tresses
Free torsion shear stress Fig.1-43
s
Warping normal stress and warping shear stress

 St.Venant Torsion

s acts

to resist St.Venant Torsion

s
Msv

Nonuniform torsion
Warping normal stressflange bending moment Mf
Mf flange shear force Vf
Vf torsional moment M=Vfh

sv

Mf

Mf flange shear force Vf

Warping normal stress

flange bending moment Mf
Vf

Mf

Vf

B=Mfh

Mfconstitute
double moment B
Vftorsional moment M

M=Vfh

1.93

 Relationships between Mf and the displacement u of the

flange along the axis x
Mf

Vf

h/2

dz
y

d 2u h
d 2
M f = EI f
= EI f
2
2
dz
dz 2

If

a moment of inertia of the

flange about axis y

1.94

h
u=
2
d u h d
= 2
2
2 dz
dz
2

Mf

Vf

x
dz
y
From the relationships between the bending moment in the upper
flange Mf and the shear force Vf that

Vf =

dM f
dz

Substitution of the Eq.1.94)gives

h
d 3
V f = EI f
2
dz 3

1.95

Eq1.93becomes

EI f h 2 d 3
M =
3
2
dz

1.96

or

d 3
M = EI 3
dz

1.97

in which
I f h2

I yh2

tb 3 h 2
(1.98)
I =
=
=
2
4
24
I is a significant property of the cross section in the
calculation of the restrained torsioncalled the warping
constant or sector moment of inertia. Eq.1.98can be
used for a doubly symmetric I section.

Introducing the notation as the applied torqueM of

t the restrained
torsion,and for the equilibrium condition

= M

sv

+ M

1.99a

Substitution of Eq.1.89and Eq.1.97into the

equation above gives

Mt =GIt EI

1.99b

Eq.1.99b) is the general expression for any restrained

torsioned open thin-walled section.In which GI t and EI are called
the free torsional rigidity and the warping rigidity of the section.

In Eq.1.99b,the first term represent the resistance of the

section to twist and the second term represent the resistance to
warping.But it is important to point out that the second term is
caused not by the warping of the member but by its resistance to
warping.

4Strain energy of torsion

The strain energy stored in a twisted member can be
broken down into two parts
St.Venant strain energy of torsion
warping strain energy of torsion
The first part is caused by St.Venant torsion,and the second
part is caused by warping torsion.

1)St.Venant strain energy of torsion Usv

The increment of strain energy stored in an element dz of a

twisted member due to St.Venant torsion is equal to one half
the product of the torque and the change in angle of
twist.Hence
1
dU sv = M sv d
2

Substitution of Eq.1.89gives

M sv = GI t

1 M sv2
dU sv =
dz
2 GI t

or
1
d
dU sv = GI t
dz
2
dz
2

d
dz

Integrating over the length gives the strain energy in the entire
member due to St.Venant torsion.Thus
U sv

1 t
2
= GI t ( ) dz
2 0

1.100

2)Warping Torsion

For an I beam,the strain energy stored in the member due

to its resistance to warping is assumed to be equal to the bending
energy of the flanges,and the shear energy is assumed to be
negligible.The bending energy stored in an element dz of one of
the flanges is equal to the product of one half the moment
EIfu) and the rotation(u).Thus

1
2
dU = EI f (u ) dz
2
2
h
I
h
Notice that u = and I = f
,so the expression becomes

1
2
dU = EI ( ) dz
4

Integrating over the length and multiplying by 2 to account

for both flanges.That is
1 l
2
U = EI ( ) dz
2 0
The total strain energy is

1.101

U = U sv + U
1 l
1 l
2
2
= GI t ( ) dz + EI ( ) dz
2 o
2 o

1.102

The shear centerIt is a special point in the cross section,which

is also the center of rotation when a pure torque is applied.when
there are symmetrical axes the shear center must be on the
symmetrical axes.

5.1.2 Elastic torsional and torsional-flexural buckling of

axially loaded columns.
1Torsional buckling
The mode of buckling is torsional deformation.
It usually takes place in the axially loaded columns with
lower torsional stiffness and doubly symmetric section (Eg.+
section).This kind of compressive columns may occur
torsional buckling before the load reaches to Euler load.
A axially compressive column with doubly symmetric I
section,shown as Fig.1-48,is fixed by simply supports at the
ends of the member.The coordinates xyz are shown as
given.

os
y

Fig.1-48

1simply supported
zero warping, zero rotation

2The property of the problem

restrained torsionsymmetric section).
3)The buckling differential equation
z

Equilibrium equation

Introducing the applied torque Mt1, the

equation stand by the condition of
equilibrium is
M t1 M

sv

M = 0

os
y

M t1 M sv M = 0
M

t1

sv

the applied torsion

St.Venant torsion

warping torsion

Substitution of Eq.(1.89)and Eq.1.97)gives

Mt1 GIt + EI = 0

The applied torsion Mt1

The applied torsion Mt1is caused by axial force N.So lets
analyze how does N cause Mt1
Pick out an element dz from Fig.1-48c)analyze the fiber
DE on dz.

dA
E

dz
z
z

os
y
x

a)

s
dA

b)

Fig.1-48

c)

dA
Torsion of fiber DE DE

F1

DD torsional angle
EE torsional angle +d
The angle between DE and the
plumb lineDE) .

d
=
dz
Force

dA

dz
s

d
E

F2

D
D

on line DE decomposed by F1 and F2 along

DE and EEF2 along s creates torsion torque dMt1

d
dM t1 = F2 = dA =
dA
dz
2

Integrating,we have

I d
d
d
2
2
M t1 =

dA
=

I
=

A
=
Ni

dz A
dz
A dz
In which i0 is the polar radius of gyration.

(1.103)

i02 = 2dA / A = ( I x + I y ) / A
A

Buckling differential equation

Substitution of Eq.1.103intoa,gives the buckling

differential equation

EI (GI t Ni02 ) = 0

1.105

The boundary conditions

)
)
)
)

z=0, =0,
no torsion
z=0, =0,
free warping
z=l, =0,
no torsion
z=l, =0 free warping

The explanation about free warping

normal stress without torsion

= 0

the flange bending moment M

= 0

M
thus

h
=
EI f = 0
2
= 0

The critical load N

Solving Eq.1.105with the boundary condition gives
the critical load of torsional buckling:

2 EI
N = ( 2 + GI t ) / i02
l
I f h 2 tb3h 2
I =
=
2
24

A=2251+200.6=62cm2
Ix=0.6203/12+225110.52=5913 cm4
Iy=21253/12=2604cm4

h0=200

t=10

EI
Solving N cr =
l2
2 EI
N = ( 2 + GI t ) / i02
l

h=218

I section compressive column with simple supports at the

ends, l=8mthe section is shown in Fig.1-49
E=206103N/mm2,
b=250
G=79 103N/mm2
tw=6
Calculate the bending critical load and
x
torsional critical load

t=10

Example 14

i02 = ( I x + I y ) / A = 8517 / 62 = 137.37cm 2

i y = I y / A = 2604 / 62 = 6.48cm

I t = ( 2 25 13 + 20 0.63 ) / 3 = 18.11cm 4
I = I f h 2 / 2 = 1 253 212 /(12 2) = 287109.4cm 4

Bending critical load

cr , y

2 EI y

2 206 103 2604 104

2
= 2
=
=
133
.
4
N
/
mm
l A
80002 62 102

Torsional critical load

cr ,

2 EI
+ GI t
2
= l 2
= (912083 + 1430690 ) / 8517 = 275 .6 N / mm 2
i0 A

cr , y < cr , Bending buckling first

2Torsional-flexural buckling
It mostly takes place in singly symmetric thin-walled
compressive columns.There is bending deformation beside
torsional deformation when the element is buckling.see
Fig.1.51.

1)Torsional buckling differential equation

M sv = GI t
Torque by St.Venant shear stress
The warping torsion
M = EI
2
The applied torque
M t1 = Ni0
Torsional differential equation

EI (GI t Ni02 ) = 0

1.105

2Because of the bendingaxial load N

produces torque Mt2

Q
N

s
x o s o
x

dz

a
u0

u
=du/dz

Bending moment My by
axial force in plane xz

M y Nu

Shear force

Q=

dM y
dz

Q acting on the centroid and

creating torsion torque Mt2

t2

du
= N
a
dz

In the same direction with

torsional angle

Thus the equilibrium equation becomes

M t1 + M t 2 M sv M = 0

3Differential equation of torsional-flexural buckling

On the basis of Eq.1.105),we introduce the notation Mt2,thus

EI (GI t Ni ) + Nau = 0
2
0

1.108

1.108two unknown uso we need one more equation

which is the differential equation of bending deformation:

EI y u + Nu0 = 0

Deformation of the shape

center

u0 = u + a

EI y u + Nu + Na = 0
Conclusion:
2

EI (GI t Ni0 ) + Nau = 0

EI y u + Nu + Na = 0
4Critical load
z
Assume:
= A sin
l
Thus

1.110
1.111

z
u = B sin
l

a 2 2
( N y N cr )( N N cr ) ( ) N cr = 1
i0

Ny =

2 EI y
l

Critical bending load

along axis y

1 2 EI
N = 2 ( 2 + GI t )
i0
l

i =a +
2
0

Critical load of the

torsional buckling

Ix + I y
A

So we can obtain the critical load Ncr

5Discussion
Double symmetric section
a=0use the smaller one between Ncr=Ny and Ncr=N

Simple symmetric section

Ncr is smaller than both Ny and N ,the larger a/i0 the
smaller Ncr is.

5.1.3 Design of steel columns in Chinese code

Base on three column strength-slenderness ratio curve, modify it
(curve C) to design torsion buckling steel column.

y f y

5.2 Lateral buckling of beams

A lateral buckling of a beam is a combination of twisting
and lateral bending brought about by the instability of the
compression flange.

5.2.1 Lateral buckling of rectangular beams in pure

bending
Consider the rectangular beam in pure bending.
Assume:
the material obeys Hookes law
the deformations remain small
the geometry of the cross section does not change
during buckling

The ends of the member are assumed to be simply

supported as far as bending about the x and y axes is
concerned.
Hence

d 2u d 2 v
u=v= 2 = 2 =0
dz
dz

at

z = 0, l

In addition, the ends of the member are prevented from

rotating about the z axis but are free to warp.
Thus

d 2
= 2 =0
dz

at

z = 0, l

The differential equations of bending and twisting are

d 2v
EI x 2 = M x
dz
d 2u
EI y 2 = M y
dz
d
GJ
= M z
dz

(5.59)
(5.60)
(5.61)

The third equation is an analogous expression for twisting

about the z axis.

x
The moment about the x and y axes, denoted by vectors
in the figure, are given by
M x = M x cos = M x
M y = M x cos( + 90) = M x sin = M x

(5.62)
(5.63)

M z = M x cos(90

du
du
du
) = M x sin
= Mx
dz
dz
dz

(5.64)

Substitution of the expression in (5.62), (5.64) into Eqs.(5.59),

(5.60) leads to the following differential equations:

d 2v
EI x 2 + M x = 0
dz
d 2u
EI y 2 + M x = 0
dz
d
du
GJ
Mx
=0
dz
dz

(5.65)
(5.66)
(5.67)

Hence the first equation describes bending in the vertical

plane. The second and third equations describe lateral bending
and twisting.
The variable u can be eliminated between Eqs.(5.66) and (5.67)
and one obtains

d 2 M x2
GJ 2 +
=0
dz
EI y
or

d 2
2
+
k
=0
2
dz

(5.68)
(5.69)

Where k 2 = M x2 / GJEI y . The solution of Eq.(5.69) is

= A sin kz + B cos kz

(5.70)

Substitution of the boundary condition = 0 at z = 0 into

Eq.(5.70) gives
B=0
And from the condition = 0 at z = 0 one obtains

A sin kl = 0

(5.71)

Equilibrium in a deformed configuration is possible only when

sin kl = 0
This gives

kl =

(5.72)
M cr =
GJEI y
l
Obviously, the critical moment is proportional to the
torsional stiffness GJ and the bending stiffness EI y
For which

The extreme fiber stress:

M cr
Sx

cr =
GJEI y
lS x

cr =

or

(5.73)

For the rectangular cross section being considered,

3
bh
2
I
hb
Ix =
Sx = x
J=
12
h
3
In view of these expressions, Eq.(5.73) becomes
3

cr =
l

2
I
h
hb y 12 GE
GE
=
3
3 4 I x bh
l /b
3

Iy
Ix

(5.74)

ratio of the principal

rigidities I y / I x
critical stress
ratio of span to width

5.22 Buckling of I beams by energy method

1Uniform Bending-Simple Supports
Consider the simply supported I beam, subject to a uniform
bending moment M.
boundary conditions:

d 2u d 2 v
u =v= 2 = 2 =0
dz
dz
d 2
=
=0
2
dz

at

z = 0, l

at

z = 0, l

The condition d 2 / dz 2 = 0 indicates that the section is free to

warp tat the supports.

The strain energy: due to bending about the y axis and the
energy due to twisting about the z axis.
2
2
l d u
l d
l d
1
1
1
2
U = EI y 0 ( 2 ) dz + GJ 0 ( ) dz + E 0 ( 2 ) 2 dz
2
dz
2
dz
2
dz
2

And the potential energy is

(5.76)
(5.77)

V = 2 M
Where is the angle of rotation about the x axis at each end
of the beam.

1 l du d
=
dz
(5.85)
2 0 dz dz
Thus the potential energy of the external loads given by
Eq.(5.77) becomes
l du d
V = M
dz
(5.86)
0 dz dz

Thus the total potential energy of the system

2
l d u
l d
1
1
2
U + V = EI y ( 2 ) dz + GJ ( ) dz
0 dz
0 dz
2
2
2
2
l
l du d
1
d
+ E ( 2 ) dz M
dz
0 dz
0 dz dz
2
2

(5.87)

The boundary conditions will be satisfied if u and are

approximated by
z
(5.88)
u = A sin
l
z
(5.89)
= B sin
l
Using (5.89) and (5.92), the total potential energy becomes

1 B2M 2
U +V =
2 EI y

2
z
1
2
0 sin l dz + 2 GJB l 2
l

4
1

+ E B 2 4
2
l

2 2

z
M
B
2
0 sin l dz EI y
l

z
0 cos l dz
l

z
0 cos l dz
l

(5.93)

and since

l
z
1
2 z
0 sin l dz = 0 cos l dz = 2
l

Eq.(5.93) reduces to

1 GJB 2 2 EB 2 4 M 2 B 2l
U +V =
+

3
4
l
l
EI y

(5.94)

The critical moment is reached when neutral equilibrium is

possible. Hence
d (U + V ) B GJ 2 E 4 M 2l
(5.95)
=
+ 3
=0
dB
2 l
l
EI y

Thus

GJ 2 E 4 M 2l
+ 3
=0
l
l
EI y
from which

M cr =
l

2
EI y GJ + E 2
l

(5.96)

2Uniform Bending-Fixed Ends

Figue.Boundary condition:
v = v = 0
u = u = 0
= = 0

at
at
at

z = 0, l
z = 0, l

(5.97)

z = 0, l

The conditions in (5.97)will be satisfied if u and are

approximated by
2 z

u = A 1 cos

(5.98)
2 z

= B 1 cos

Substitution of these shapes into the energy expression given

by Eq.(5.87) leads to

1
16 A2 4 l
2 2 z
U + V = EI y
cos
dz
4

0
2
l
l
1
4 B 2 2 l 2 2 z
+ GJ
sin
dz
2

0
2
l
l
1
16 B 2 4 l
2 2 z
+ E
cos
dz
4

0
2
l
l
4 AB 2
M
l2

2 z
0 sin l dz
l

(5.99)

To determine the critical moment, the equilibrium is

(U + V )
A
(U + V )

or

2
=
l

2
8 EI y A l 2 2 MB = 0

2
2
=
2GJBV + 8 E B 2 2 MA = 0

B
l
l

2
4 EI y 2 A ( M ) B = 0
l

( M ) A + GJ + 4 E 2 B = 0
l

(5.101)

(5.102)

Hence

2
2
4 EI y 2 GJ + 4 E 2 M 2 = 0
l
l
from which

2
M cr =
l

2
EI y GJ + 4 E 2
l

(5.103)

Compare a fixed beam with a hinged beam, it is evident that the

critical moment of the fixed beam can be anywhere from two to
four times as large as the critical moment of the hinged beam.

3Concentrated Load-Simple Supports

The strain energy stored in the member during buckling

has the same form it had in the preceding computations.
Consider an element dz of the beam located a distance
from the right support, as shown in Fig.5-14c.

w0 =

l/2

Pz 2 dz 2
2 EI y

(5.106)

the potential energy of P is

V = Pw0 =

l/2

P2 z2 2
dz
2 EI y

(5.107)

the total potential energy of the system

U +V =

EI y d u
l GJ d

dz
2 dz + 0
2 dz
2 dz
2

2 2 2
l/2 P z
E d 2
+
dz
dz

2
0 2
0
2 EI y
dz
l

(5.108)

Substitution of M y as given by (5.105) into Eq.(5.60) leads to

d 2u Pz
EI y 2 =
dz
2
d 2u Pz
=
2
dz
2 EI y

or

(5.109)

Making use of this relationship to rewrite the first term in

Eq.(5.108) in terms of , one obtains

U + V =

l/2

l GJ d
l E d
P z
dz +
dz +
dz (5.110)

2
0 2
0 2
4 EI y
dz
dz
2 2

assume that :

= B sin

z
l

(5.111)

Thus

P2 B2
U +V =
4 EI y

l/2

2 2

z
GJB

2
2
2 z
z sin
dz +
cos
dz
2
l
2l
l

EB 2 4 l 2 z
+
sin
dz
4

0
2l y
l
Using the definite integrals
z
l3 2
0 z sin l dz = 8 6 + 1
l
l
l
2 z
2 z
0 sin l dz = 0 cos l dz = 2
l/2

(5.112)

(5.113)

Hence

d (U + V )
dB

B P 2l 3 2 GJ 2 E 4
=
+ 1 +
+ 3 =0
2
2 8EI y 6
l
l

from which

4 2
Pcr = 2
l

3
2
EI y GJ + E 2
2
+6
l

(5.115)

5.2.4 Design simplifications for lateral buckling

for a simply supported I beam subject to uniform bending:

E 2
(5.139)
EI y GJ + 2
l

for the same beam, bent by a concentrated load at midspan:

M cr =
l

4 2
Pcr = 2
l

3
E 2
EI y GJ + 2
2
+6
l

(5.140)

A critical internal bending moment for that of a critical

applied loading

Pl

M cr =
= 1.36
4
l

E 2
EI y GJ + 2
l

(5.141)

a suitable design relationship is

M cr = C1
l

E 2
EI y GJ + 2
l

(5.142)

Where loading coefficient

1.0 for uniform bending
C1

1.04 for concentrated loads at the third points

1.13 for a uniformly distributed load
1.36 for a concentrated load at midspan

applicable to different boundary conditions.

E 2
M cr = C1
EI y GJ +
2

kl
( kl )

(5.144)

where k is an effective-length factor.

1.0 for simply supported ends

0.5 for fully fixed ends.

Stress was assumed to be proportional to strain. Inelastic

critical moment becomes a smaller.

Chinese code
(1)If there are slabs connected with the beam, no
stability need to be calculated.
(2)Otherwise for welded simple supported I beam:
Mx
f,
bWx
y t1 2
4320 Ah
235
b = b 2 [
1+ (
) + b ]
y Wx
4.4h
fy
Where b
stability coefficient, b
coefficients related
loading and loading point, b
coefficient related to
symmetric of section

(3)For rolled I beam b can be get directly from the table.

(4)For rolled channel beam,a simple equation is deducted:
(5)When b
is greater than 0.6, inelastic parameter
should be used:

0.4646 0.1269
b = 1.1 (
) + 3/ 2
b
b
'

For simple supported box beams no stability needed to

calculate if the following condition be satisfied:

(1)h / b0 6
(2)l1 / b0 : 95,65,57