Analysis of Elastic Lateral Torsional Buckling of Cantilever I Sections by The Complementary Functions Method

Abstract

In this study, an important stability problem, in the design of cantilever I-beams under lateral torsional buckling behavior is theoretically investigated. The elastic lateral torsional buckling behavior of cantilever I beam loaded from shear centers is examined for four different loading types. The governing differential equation is transformed into a set of first-order ordinary differential equations. The Complementary Functions Method (CFM), which is an effective method in solving the first-order differential equation set, is used. Fifth Order Runge-Kutta (RK5) algorithm is used for numerical integrations in CFM, which can transform the boundary value problem into an initial value problem. The obtained results were compared with the existing results in the literature. It has been shown that CFM can be used effectively in the analysis of elastic lateral torsional buckling behavior of I beams.