Lateral-Torsional Buckling

Function

Enter Lateral Torsional Buckling Data

Select the element for which Lateral Torsional Buckling data will be entered and enter the required data in
the dialog box, then the list of selected elements will be displayed. In MIDAS/Civil, Lateral Torsional Buckling
Data should be inputted by elements. Elements having different Lateral Torsional Buckling Data should be
inputted separately.

Call

From the Main Menu select Design > Composite Plate Girder Design > Lateral-
Torsional Buckling

From the Menu tab of the Tree Menu select Design > Composite Plate Girder
Design > Lateral-Torsional Buckling
 Entry

First, select the members in the model and enter the following
data:

Both end parts (I & j) have the same stiffener : Check the box
if the Lateral Torsional Buckling Data is identical for both ends
i and j of an element. Once the Lateral Torsional Buckling Data
is entered under I tab, an identical data will be automatically
entered under J tab.
l, is the distance between the springs

Cd is the spring stiffness

These two parameters l,Cd are required for calculation of m,

which is used in calculation of critical axial load.

Alpha(for k1): α = 2 for an edge beam, with or without a

cantilever,
α = 3 for an inner beam.

a, spacing between the parallel beams.

DETAILED EXPLANATION OF THE PARAMETERS

If the compressive force NEd is constant over the length of the chord, the critical axial
load Ncrit FOR BUCKLING may be calculated from

Ncrit = m NE

Cd = c * l
c = γ * EJ / L^4
for the case where the compressive force Ned is not constant
over the length of the chord
For the bottom flange of a continuous girder with rigid lateral supports at a distance L,
m in equation may be taken as the minimum value obtained from the two following
values:
Mcr is the elastic critical moment for lateral-torsional buckling determined at the
relevant cross-section.
The calculation of the elastic critical moment, Mcr, may be based on the "continuous
inverted-U frame"
model. This model takes into account the lateral displacement of the bottom flange
causing bending of the steel web, and the rotation of the top flange as shown in
Figure

For calculation of rotational stiffness Ks, per unit length of steel beam is adopted to
represent a U-Frame Model
k1 is the flexural stiffness of the cracked concrete slab in the direction transverse to
the steel beam, which may be taken as:

k1 = α Ea I2 / a

Where
α = 2 for k1 for an edge beam, with or without a cantilever,
α = 3 for an inner beam.
For inner beams in a bridge deck with four or more similar beams, α = 4 may be
used.
a is the spacing between the parallel beams;
Ea I2 is the "cracked" flexural stiffness per unit width of the concrete or composite
slab, as defined in 1.5.2.12, where I2 should be taken as the lowest of the value at
mid span, for sagging bending, and the values at the supporting steel members, for
hogging bending;
k2 is the flexural stiffness of the steel web, to be taken as: