Stability of Thin-Walled Channel Beams with Orthotropic Flanges

The paper is devoted to a cold-formed, thin-walled channel beam. The appropriately shaped anges are orthotropic structures. The mathematical model of the beam has been described. Geometrical properties of the cross section have been derived, and critical stresses of global buckling have been calculated. Two cases are considered: the problem of lateral buckling (the beam under pure bending) and the problem of global buckling (the beam under compression). The study of global buckling includes exural and torsional buckling. The numerical model of the beam has also been formulated. The critical loads have been analytically and numerically (with the use of FEM - finite strip method) calculated. The obtained results have been compared and presented in Figures and Tables.