Lateral-torsional buckling of singly symmetric I-beams.

Finite-element buckling analyses of singly symmetric I-shaped girders subjected to transverse loading applied at different heights on the cross section were conducted. Single-curvature and reverse-curvature bending were considered. Moment gradient factors based on the finite-element results were calculated and compared with traditional values used to predict the buckling capacity of I-shaped doubly symmetric sections. The results from the computational study show that, for many cases, traditional moment gradient factors can be used for singly symmetric girders if effects of load height are measured relative to midheight of the cross section. Solutions for load-height effects are presented for singly symmetric I-sections.