Composite Structures 90 (2009) 92–99

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Composite Structures
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/compstruct

Buckling of composite FRP structural plates using the complex finite strip method
Hossein Amoushahi, Mojtaba Azhari *
Department of Civil Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: A finite strip method is presented to predict local, distortional, and lateral buckling of composite fiber
Available online 20 February 2009 reinforced plastic (FRP) structural plates. Each plate may be subjected to a combination of longitudinal
compression, longitudinal in-plane bending, or shear stress. A sinusoidal function is assumed in the lon-
Keywords: gitudinal direction for a buckling mode of whatever type and a polynomial function is used in the trans-
Plate versal direction. The critical stress and critical moment of I-shape and box and channel sections under
Buckling bending and uniform loading are obtained by solving an eigenvalue problem. Using this solution tech-
Composite FRP
nique, a simple expression is developed for prediction of I-shape section beams’ buckling stresses in three
Finite strip method
Design curve
design curves. The critical stresses for different Ex =Ey values are calculated using the design curves.
Ó 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
Pultruded FRP structural plates can be used as beams or
columns in different structures. Composite materials have gained
wide applications in both civil and mechanical engineering since
they offer various types of product and material characteristics.
Using different types and quantities of fibers coupled with various
resins for the matrix, it is possible to obtain desirable performance
for specific design requirements. FRP profiles obtained through the
pultrusion technique particularly represent a class of products
with interesting properties of durability and lightness with great
economic value when glass fibers are used [1]. It is, therefore, nec-
essary for design guidelines and code provisions to allow for effec-
tive utilization of these products with the right degree of structural
safety.
Pultruded profiles are realized with unidirectional oriented
fibers, defining very different mechanical characteristics in the lon-
gitudinal and transversal directions. As a result of fiber direction,
the strength and elastic constants are much higher than those in
the orthogonal direction.
Furthermore, strength and modulus of elasticity ratios are much
higher in the case of FRP sections than those of their steel counter-
parts. Consequently, strength is not usually used as a design param-
eter in FRP sections, and failure conditions are attained for buckling
phenomena. It is also clear that the design principles for avoiding
buckling phenomena cannot be the same as those for steel, in which
they usually occur in the plastic range with the influence of
mechanical and geometric imperfections due to the steel working
process [1].
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +98 311 3913804; fax: +98 311 3912700.
E-mail address: mojtaba@cc.iut.ac.ir (M. Azhari).
A number of studies have been carried out to evaluate the the-
oretical and experimental buckling behaviors of FRP structural
plates which have resulted in the development of a number of de-
sign methodologies for these members. In most of these studies, lo-
cal buckling analysis of FRP sections is generally accomplished by
modeling the flanges and webs individually and considering the
flexibility of the flange-web connection. In this type of simulation,
each part of the cross section (flanges and webs) of composite FRP
shapes is modeled as a plate and analyzed independently.
Lee expressed the buckling coefficient as a function of flange-
web ratio using an exact analysis and an approximate energy
method [2]. He extended his solution to orthotropic sections with
simply supported loaded edges and clamped loaded boundary con-
ditions [3]. Both local and overall bucklings of orthotropic thin-
walled FRP columns with various boundary conditions were stud-
ied by Lee and Hewson [4]. Banks and Rhodes examined the buck-
ling and post-buckling behaviors of FRP box and channel sections
and assumed each section to consist of a series of linked plates
with rotationally restrained unloaded edges [5,6]. Buckling of I-
section beams and columns were studied by Webber et al. using
a web restrained coefficient on the flange [7]. Global buckling of
pultruded I-beam sections were investigated by Mottram [8]. Barb-
ero and Raftoyiannis used the discrete plate method to investigate
the instability of FRP structural plates under axial and shear load-
ing. In their study, the effect of the transverse bending stiffness of
the web on the buckling of flange was simulated as an elastic rota-
tional support [9]. Yoon carried out an experimental and analytical
investigation of the compression behavior of axially loaded FRP I-
shape columns using the classical orthotropic plate theory.
Accounting for the elastic restraints at the junction of the web
and flanges, he predicted the local buckling load of FRP columns
[10]. Bank et al. presented an experimental investigation of the

0263-8223/$ - see front matter Ó 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.compstruct.2009.02.006
 H. Amoushahi, M. Azhari / Composite Structures 90 (2009) 92–99 93

local compressive flange buckling of FRP beams to compare the re-

sults obtained with predicted buckling stress values based on the
analytical model [11,12]. An extensive review of research on com-
posite plate buckling and post-buckling behavior has been given by
Turvey and Marshall [13]. By numerically solving a transcendental
equation, Bank and Yin conducted a parametric study of the local
buckling of orthotropic plates with rotationally restrained un- T
T L
loaded edges [14]. Pecce and Cosenza investigated local buckling x
in FRP profiles both analytically and experimentally. A numerical
y
model by the finite element method was introduced and validated
b
by comparing the numerical results and the experimental ones [1].
Qiao et al. used the discrete plate method to analyze local buckling
of composite FRP I-sections and box sections. They reported two
cases of composite plate analysis with different boundary condi-
tions and elastic restraints on the unloaded edges [15]. Qiao and
Zou extended the study by analyzing local buckling of elastically
restrained fiber reinforced plastic plates to predict the critical load-
ing of box sections [16].
L -
Significant research has been reported in literature for the local L+

buckling analysis of orthotropic plates with various boundary con- Fig. 1. Different types of loading considered on a strip.
ditions. However, there is still a need for further research to develop
a simple design equation to predict the critical stress of local buck-
ling of pultruded FRP shapes. Most previous studies of analyzing the
buckling behavior of structural shapes have focussed on modeling
the effect of web transverse bending stiffness on the buckling of sec-
tion flanges. None, however, has investigated web buckling but only PZ1 , w1 PZ2 , w2
focused on local buckling of the compressive flange in the sections. Px1 , u1 Px2 , u 2

In the present study, we employ the finite strip method to study the Py1 , v1 Py2 , v2
buckling of FRP shapes. Cheung was the first to use the finite strip x
method as a new finite element procedure in structures [17]. Prze-
mieniecki later used the method to predict initial local buckling m , 1 1
y m ,2 2

stresses of plate assemblies under biaxial compression [18]. Plank

and Wittrick employed the complex finite strip method to investi-
gate buckling under combined loading of thin, flat-walled struc-
tures. The advantage of the complex finite strip method over the b
formulations of ordinary finite strip method is the ease with which t
it can handle shear. They predicted the critical load on assembled
Fig. 2. Strip end forces and degrees of freedom.
plates under uniform transverse stress, uniform shear stress, and
under varying longitudinal compressive stresses [19]. Bradford
and Azhari used the finite strip method to analyze buckling of plates For infinitesimally small buckling displacements, the in-plane
with different end conditions [20]. and out-of-plane effects are uncoupled and can be considered sep-
Because of the relatively low modulus of elasticity of FRP plates arately. Accordingly, the force and displacement vectors are de-
and their common thin-walled sectional geometry, FRP beams may fined by the equations
be susceptible to buckling even under service loads. Moreover,
buckling is likely to occur before the ultimate material strength pTI ¼ hpy1 ipx1 py2 ipx2 i; pTO ¼ hm1 pz1 m2 pz2 i
ð1Þ
is reached in pultruded FRP composites due to their high T
dI ¼ hv 1 iu1 v 2 iu2 i;
T
dO ¼ hu1 w1 u2 w2 i
strength-to-stiffness ratio. In present study, the complex finite
strip method is extended to study the instability of the pultruded where the subscripts O and I denote out-of-plane and in-plane,
FRP section as an orthotropic material. The critical stress and crit- respectively, and all the four vectors generally defined by Eq. (2)
ical moment of I-shape and Box and Channel sections under bend- are complex.
ing and uniform loading are obtained by solving an eigenvalue Stiffness matrices sI and sO and geometric stiffness matrices gI
problem using the minimum potential energy method. and gO may now be defined by the following equations:
pI ¼ ðsI þ gI ÞdI ; pO ¼ ðsO þ gO ÞdO ð2Þ
2. Definition of the stiffness matrices of an individual strip pffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
The introduction of i ¼ 1 in the in-plane force and displace-
The basic state of stress in an individual strip at the onset of ment vectors pI and dI automatically incorporates a 90 degree
buckling, as shown in Fig. 1, consists of a uniform transverse com- phase difference between the uand v displacements, and between
pressive stress rT , a uniform shearing stress s, and a longitudinal px and py forces. As a result of this, the stiffness matrix sI is entirely
compressive stress which varies linearly across the width, b, of real and symmetrical. This device is not absolutely necessary but
the plate from ðrL  rB Þ at edge 1 to ðrL þ rB Þ at edge 2. Thus, rL without it, the matrix sI would contain some imaginary elements
is the average longitudinal compressive stress and rB is the stress [19].
due to the longitudinal in-plane bending.
If the structure experiences buckling, the strip will be subjected 3. Derivation of the out-of-plane stiffness matrices sO and gO
on its edges to a system of forces distributed in the longitudinal
direction with a half-wavelength k as shown in Fig. 2. Also, eight In deriving the out-of-plane stiffness matrix sO , the standard fi-
degrees of freedom are assumed for each length of k. nite element procedure is followed based on virtual works.
94 H. Amoushahi, M. Azhari / Composite Structures 90 (2009) 92–99

Let the two edges of the strip undergo virtual displacements Considering the following theory [19]:
corresponding to a variation ddO in the vector dO . The real virtual Z 2p
edge displacements are ReðddO ein Þ whilst the edge forces are ReðaT ein Þ  A  Reðbein Þdn ¼ pReða
T  A  bÞ ð15Þ
ReðpO ein Þ. Where Re ( ) denotes the real part of the quantity inside 0

the parenthesis and where the bar denotes the conjugate, Eq. (14) may be rewritten
p as
n¼ x ð3Þ
k  T sO dO Þ
dU O ¼ kReðdd ð16Þ
O
The lateral displacement w of the plate is assumed to be given
where
by the equation
Z þ1
w ¼ ReðZdO ein Þ ð4Þ sO ¼ ðb=2Þ f T  D  f O dg
O ð17Þ
1
in which, Z is an 1  4 interpolation matrix defined by
 Eqs. (10) and (12) are then used to express Eq. (17) as
b 1 Z
Z¼ ð1  gÞ2 ð1 þ gÞ ð1  gÞ2 ð2 þ gÞ 3
þ1
T
8 4 sO ¼ ð1=2b Þ ½X4 D11 ZT Z  4X2 D21 Z00 Z  4X2 D12 ZT Z00
 1
b 1
 ð1 þ gÞ2 ð1  gÞ ð1 þ gÞ2 ð2  gÞ ð5Þ 00 T 00 T
8 4 þ 16D22 Z Z  16X2 D33 Z0 Z0 dg ð18Þ

where During the virtual displacement, the basic membrane forces

acting on the four edges of a rectangle of width b and length 2k also
2y
g¼ ð6Þ do work dV. This is given by the equation
b
Z Z (  2  2 )
It is readily verified that the kinematic conditions of deflection @w @w @w @w
dV O ¼ ðt=2Þd rx þ rT þ 2s dxdy
and slope are satisfied by the interpolation matrix at the longitudi- @x @y @x @y
nal edges of the strip. ð19Þ
Now, a 3  1 vector q of the curvatures and a corresponding
3  1 vector M of the inertial moment in the plate will be defined where rx is the local value of the longitudinal stress given by
by the following equations rx ¼ rL þ grB ð20Þ
T
q ¼ ½w;xx w;yy w;xy  ð7Þ On transforming x and y into the dimensionless variables n and
M ¼ ½Mx M y M xy T ð8Þ g and taking the variation of the integrand, Eq. (19) may be ex-
pressed as
then Z 2p Z þ1   
kt @dw @w @w
M¼Dq ð9Þ dV O ¼ X2 ðrL þ grB Þ þ 2Xs
2pb 0 1 @n @n @g
 
where D is the flexural rigidity matrix of orthotropic plate defined @dw @w @w
by þ 2Xs þ 4rT dndg ð21Þ
@g @n @g
2 3 8
D11 D12 0 >
> D11 ¼ Ex t 3 =12ð1  txy tyx Þ And the integration is performed with respect to n
>
>
6 D22 0 7 <D ¼ Ey t 3 =12ð1  txy tyx Þ
6 7 22 Tg d Þ
dV O ¼ kReðdd ð22Þ
D¼6 7) ð10Þ 0 O 0
4 sym: D33 5 >
>
> D 12 ¼ txy Ey t3 =12ð1  txy tyx Þ
>
: where
D33 ¼ Gt3 =12
Z þ1
T
in which, Ex and txy are Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratios in the g0 ¼ ðt=2bÞ fX2 ðrL þ grB ÞZT Z þ 4rT Z0 Z0 gdg þ ðiXts=bÞ
longitudinal direction, respectively, while, Ey and tyx are Young’s Z
1
þ1
modulus and Poisson’s ratios in the transversal direction, respec- T
 ðZ0 Z  ZT Z0 Þdg ð23Þ
tively, and G is the shear modulus used instead of Exy . 1
Using Eqs. (4) and (7) becomes
Finally, considering Eqs. (18) and (23) and by rearranging the
q ¼ Reðf O dO ein Þ ð11Þ resulting expression, the stiffness matrix s0 and gO can be written
as
where f is a 3  4 matrix defined by
2 3 3
s0 ¼ ð1=b Þ  ½D22 H0  X2 D12 HV þ X4 D11 HL þ 2X2 ðD12 þ 2D33 ÞHT 
  X2 Z
1 6 00 7 ð24Þ
fO ¼ 2
:4 4Z 5 ð12Þ
b g0 ¼ ðt=bÞ  ½X 2 2
rL HL þ rT HT þ X rB HB þ iXsHS  ð25Þ
4iXZ0
In this equation, the prime on Z denotes differentiation with re- where the six 4  4 matrices appearing on the right-hand side are
spect to g and given by
X ¼ pb=k ð13Þ 8 R þ1
>
> H0 ¼ 8 1 Z00T Z00 dg; HV ¼ 2½ðZT ZÞ0 þ1
>
> 1
The inertial virtual work, dU O , in a wavelength of 2k of the strip due >
< R þ1 R þ1
HL ¼ 12 1 ZT Zdg; HT ¼ 2 1 Z0T Z0 dg
to the virtual displacement ddO may now be expressed as R þ1 R þ1 ð26Þ
>
>
Z Z >
> HB ¼ 12 1 gZT Zdg; HS ¼ 1 ðZ0T Z  ZT Z0 Þdg
kb 2p þ1 T >
:
dU O ¼ dq  D  qdndg
2p 0 1
Z 2p Z þ1 The expressions for the six matrices obtained by substituting
kb T T
¼ RefddO f O ein g  D  Reff O dO ein gdndg ð14Þ Eq. (5) and by carrying out the integrations are listed in Ref. [19].
2p 0 1
 H. Amoushahi, M. Azhari / Composite Structures 90 (2009) 92–99 95

4. Derivation of the in-plane stiffness matrices sI and g I On substituting Eqs. (33) and (35), it is found that
Z þ1
The derivation of the in-plane stiffness matrices sI and gI are sI ¼ ðt=2bÞ J½X2 E11 XT X þ X2 E33 YT Y þ 4E33 X0 T X0
based on an exactly parallel argument to that of the out-of-plane 1
T T T
stiffness matrix. From Eq. (1), it is seen that real edge forces and þ 4E22 Y0 Y0 þ 2iE12 XðY0 X  XT Y0 Þ þ 2iE33 XðX0 Y
displacements are ReðJpI ein Þ and ReðJddI ein Þ where J is a 4  4 diag-
 YT X0 ÞJdg ð39Þ
onal matrix defined by
2 3 Substituting Eq. (30) and carrying out the integrations
1 0 0 0
2 3
6 0 i 0 0 7 ðkEI Þ11 ðkEI Þ12 ðkEI Þ13 ðkEI Þ14
6 7
J¼6 7 ð27Þ 6 7
40 0 1 0 5  6 ðkEI Þ22 ðkEI Þ23 ðkEI Þ24 7
t 6 7
0 0 0 i sI ¼ 6 ðkEI Þ33 ðkEI Þ34 7 ð40Þ
2b 6 7
6 7
4 Sym: ðkEI Þ44 5
The displacement u and v are assumed to vary over the strip
according to the equations
where
u ¼ ReðXJdI ein Þ ð28Þ 8
>
> ðk Þ ¼ ðkEI Þ33 ¼ 23 X2 E33 þ 2E22 ; ðkEI Þ12 ¼ ðkEI Þ34 ¼ XðE33  E12 Þ
> EI 11
>
and < ðk Þ ¼ ðk Þ ¼ 2 X2 E þ 2E ; ðk Þ ¼ ðk Þ ¼ XðE þ E Þ
EI 22 EI 44 3 11 33 EI 23 EI 14 33 12
> ðk Þ ¼ 1 X2 E  2E ;
> 1 2
v ¼ ReðYJdI ein Þ ð29Þ >
>
:
EI 13 3 33 22 ðk Þ
EI 24 ¼ 3
X E 11  2E33

where X and Y are 1  4 linear interpolation matrices defined by the

ð41Þ
equations
    If we use the presented theory for calculating longer wave-
1 1 1 1 length buckling loads such as torsional or overall buckling loads
X ¼ 0 ð1  gÞ 0 ð1 þ gÞ ; Y¼ ð1  gÞ 0 ð1 þ gÞ 0
2 2 2 2 of stiffened panels, it is clearly necessary to take account of the
ð30Þ in-plane destabilizing effect of the basic stress system. However,
according to reference [19], rL is the only stress component that
We now define a strain vector e by the equation
   needs to be considered for the in-plane buckling. On the other
@u @ v @u @ v hand there is no conceivable in-plane instability that can arise
eT ¼ þ ð31Þ
@x @y @y @x from the action of the stresses rB ; rT , and s. To calculate the loss
of the potential energy of stress rL , we make use of the following
and let r be the corresponding stress vector, so that
non-linear expression for the longitudinal strain ex .
r ¼ E0 e ð32Þ (   2  2 )
2
@u 1 @u @v @w
where E0 is the in-plane rigidity matrix of the orthotropic plate de- ex ¼ þ þ þ ð42Þ
@x 2 @x @x @x
fined by
8 The first term has already been accounted for in deriving dV I
2 3> E11 ¼ Ex =ð1  txy tyx Þ
E11 E12 0 >
> whilst the last term, involving w, has been used in Eq. (19) in the
<E ¼ Ey =ð1  txy tyx Þ
6 7 22 calculation of the loss of potential energy of the basic stresses
E0 ¼ 4 E22 0 5) ð33Þ
>
> E12 ¼ txy Ey =ð1  txy tyx Þ due to the out-of-plane displacement. Thus, the appropriate
sym: E33 >
:
E33 ¼G expression for the loss of potential energy of the basic stresses
due to in-plane displacement is
From Eqs. (28) and (29), (31) may be rewritten as
Z Z ( 2  2 )
in 1 @u @v
e ¼ Reff I JdI e g ð34Þ dV I ¼ rL td þ dxdy
2 @x @x
where f I is a 3  4 matrix defined by Z Z  
2 3 @du @u @dv @ v
iXX ¼ rL t þ dxdy ð43Þ
  @x @x @x @x
1 6 0 7
fI ¼ 4 2Y 5 ð35Þ
b where the integral extends over the width b and wavelength 2k.
2X0 þ iXY Substituting Eqs. (28) and (29) and proceeding as before will yield
The internal work dU I in the wavelength 2k of the strip is given  T g dI Þ
dV I ¼ kReðdd ð44Þ
I I
by
where
Z 2p Z þ1 Z
kbt X2 rL t þ1
dU I ¼ deT E0 edndg gI ¼ JðXT X þ YT YÞJdg ð45Þ
2p 0 1 2b 1
Z Z
kbt 2p þ1 T T Substituting Eq. (30) and carrying out the integrations
¼ ReðddI Jf I ein ÞE0 Reðf I JdI ein Þdndg ð36Þ
2p 0 1 2 3
2 0 1 0
!
Using Eq. (15), the internal work dU I may be expressed by 2 6 17
t rL X 6 2 0 7
Ts d Þ gI ¼ :6 7 ð46Þ
dU I ¼ kReðdd I I I ð37Þ 6b 4 2 05
where Sym: 2
Z þ1  Two stiffness matrices from Eqs. (24) and (40) and two geomet-
1  f I E0 f I dg J
sI ¼ bt J ð38Þ ric stiffness matrices from Eqs. (25) and (46) can be combined
2 1 properly to give the stiffness matrix and the geometric stiffness
96 H. Amoushahi, M. Azhari / Composite Structures 90 (2009) 92–99

Local Buckling Distortional Buckling Lateral Torsonal Buckling 50

14
bw =300mm
12
40 tf =30mm
10 tw =10mm
3
σ /Ex *10

σ/Ex*103
30
6 bf =250mm

bf =280mm
4 20 bf =310mm
2
bf =340mm
0 10
0 2.5 5 7.5 10 12.5 15
λ /bw
0
0 2 4 6 8 10
Fig. 3. Different types of buckling.
λ/bw

Fig. 5. I-shape sections with two points of local buckling.

matrix for one strip. They can be assembled into the global matri-
ces K and G by using equilibrium and compatibility along nodal
lines. The complex buckling eigenproblem then reduces to
jK  Gj ¼ 0
which can be solved to produce the critical stresses rx ; rB ; rT , and s.
5. Numerical studies
5.1. General study
A computer program has been developed to study the buckling
of I-section, box and channel members bent about their major axes
in uniform bending. Both in-plane and out-of-plane stiffness matri-
ces contain multiplayer factors depending on the half-wavelength
k. To find the buckling stress, an eigenvalue problem should be
solved for each k. In Fig. 3, the initial buckling stress rcr of I-shape
section beam in pure bending is given as a function of the dimen-
ð47Þ sionless buckling half-wavelength k=bw where bw is the depth of
the web.
As shown in Fig. 3, the curve exhibits two limbs; the first of
which has a minimum value at k=bw between 0.5 and 1.5. In this
region, the buckling mode is local. Depending on the value of
bf =bw , the local buckling may occur either in the flange or in the
web.
As the wavelength increase, the curves rise to peak and buckling
modes become of a mixed local and lateral type called distortional
buckling mode. Beyond the peak, the buckling stresses decrease
with increases in k until the mode is predominantly lateral-tor-
sional, as predicted by Vlasov theory.
The semi-analytical complex finite strip method has been
applied to study the buckling of FRP composite shapes. For this

Table 1
Comparison of local buckling stresses.

bf (mm) bw (mm) tf (mm) tw (mm) Ex (GPa) Ey (GPa) G (GPa) mxy L (mm) rI a Experimental rII b Local buckling rIII c Specific length Error (%)
203 203 9.5 9.5 22 7.5 2.4 0.3 500 62 54 62 0.69
203 203 9.5 9.5 21 8.5 2.5 0.3 2740 77 55 81 5.33
203 203 12.7 12.7 24.6 10.3 3.6 0.33 2740 152 131 102 14
203 203 9.5 9.5 21 8 2.5 0.33 2740 82 55 81 1.09
203 203 12.7 12.7 24.6 10.3 3.6 0.33 2740 129 131 102 1.31
a
Critical stresses obtained from experimental tests in Refs. [1,11].
b
Local buckling stresses obtained from F.S.M.
c
Buckling stresses obtained from F.S.M. over a specific length.

(a)14 (b)14 bw/tw=16

12 12

10 10 bw/tw=21
bf /bw =1.00
σ /Ex*10 3

8
σ /Ex*103

8
bw/tw=32
6 6
bf /bw =0.67
4 4
bf /bw =0.50 bw/tw=64
2 2
bf /bw =0.33
0 0
0 2.5 5 7.5 10 12.5 15 0 2.5 5 7.5 10 12.5 15 17.5
λ/bw λ/bw

Fig. 4. Buckling stress for I-shape sections.

 H. Amoushahi, M. Azhari / Composite Structures 90 (2009) 92–99 97

(a) 40 (b) 50
40
30
bw /tw=16
bf/bw=1.00

σ/Ex*10 3
σ/E x*10 3

30 bw /tw=21
bf/bw=0.67
20 bw /tw=32
bf/bw=0.50
20
bw /tw=64
10 bf/bw=0.33
10

0 0
0 2.5 5 7.5 10 12.5 15 0 2.5 5 7.5 10 12.5 15 17.5
λ/bw λ/bw

Fig. 6. Buckling stress for box sections.

(a) 5 (b) 4 bw/tw=16

4
3
bw /tw=21
3
3

σ /Ex*103
σ /Ex*10

bf/bw=1.00 2
2
bf/bw=0.67 bw /tw=32

bf/bw=0.50 1
1
bf/bw=0.33
bw /tw=64

0 0
0 2.5 5 7.5 10 12.5 15 0 2.5 5 7.5 10 12.5 15 17.5
λ/bw λ/bw

Fig. 7. Buckling stress for channel sections.

purpose, three different sections under uniform bending have been
considered. I-shape, Box and Channel sections associated with the
following geometric data and elastic constants: Ex = 22 GPa;
Ey = 7.5 GPa; G = 2.4 GPa; bf = 305, 203, 152, 102 mm; bw = 305,
203, 152, 102 mm; tf = 12.7, 9.5, 6.4, 3.2 mm; tw = 12.7, 9.5, 6.4,
3.2 mm; and txy ¼ 0:3, where bf and bw are web depth and flange
width, respectively, and tw and tf are the thicknesses of the web
and the flange, respectively.
5.2. Accuracy of the results
In order to evaluate the accuracy and validity of the method for
local buckling of FRP sections, the results obtained from the finite
strip method are compared in Table 1 with those obtained from
experimental tests reported by Pecce and Cosenza [1] and Bank
[11]. The minimum stress rII (local buckling stress) is determined
by fitting a quadratic interpolation function through three points
close to the local nadir of the garland-shape curve. rII is a critical
stress obtained from the finite strip method over a specific length.
All stresses shown in the Table are in MPa. As the results show, the
critical stresses obtained from the finite strip method are in good
agreement with those obtained from the experimental tests.
5.3. I-shape sections
In Fig. 4, the critical stress rcr of I-shape beams is shown in two
cases: in Fig. 4a, the bf =tf and bw =tw ratios are constant. This means
that bw ¼ 305 mm and tw ¼ 12:7 mm. In Fig. 4b, bf =bw and t f =tw ra-
tios are constant, which means that bw ¼ bf ¼ 203 mm.
It can be seen from Fig. 4a that when the ratio of flange width to
web depth increases, the local buckling stress decreases but that
the lateral-torsional buckling increase. We can see an exception
for bf =bw ¼ 0:33 in local buckling, because of the buckling occur-
ring in the web rather than in the flange.
Fig. 4b shows that by increasing the ratio of the flange and web
widths to their thicknesses, the local buckling stress decreases
since thinner plates are made, but it has not significant effect on
lateral-torsional buckling.
It can be seen for some of the sections with special geometric
properties that the local buckling stress occurs at two points.
Fig. 5 shows that the local buckling in the flange and the web
may occur in different values of half-wavelength.
5.4. Box sections
Fig. 6 shows the critical stress rcr of Box section beams for two
cases. In Fig. 5a, the bf =t f and bw =t w ratios are constant. This means
that bw ¼ 305 mm and tw ¼ 12:7 mm. In Fig. 5b, bf =bw and t f =t w ra-
tios are kept constant, meaning that bw ¼ bf ¼ 203 mm.
It can be seen from Fig. 6 that what happens to the local buck-
ling stress of the section is similar to that for I-shape and box sec-
tions. However, the situation will be different for lateral-torsional.
A reason for this observation is that the critical torsional buckling
coefficient for a long-span beam with closed-section such as box is
generally greater than the same beam but with open-section such
as I-shape beam.
Furthermore, the flange of the box section is supported from
two sides contrary to the flange of the I-shape sections that is
98 H. Amoushahi, M. Azhari / Composite Structures 90 (2009) 92–99

supported from one side only. This difference leads to greater crit- Table 2
ical local buckling stresses in the box sections than in I-shape ones. Buckling coefficient for I-shape sections.

bf (mm) bw (mm) tf (mm) t w (mm) kf (mm)

5.5. Channel sections 200 100 10 5 0.5976
200 100 20 10 0.5971
The complex finite strip method is used to evaluate the buckling 400 200 20 10 0.5976
400 200 10 5 0.5981
stress for Channel sections along the same lines as in I-shape and 400 200 30 15 0.5968
box sections. Fig. 7 shows the results for channel sections. The geo- 400 200 40 20 0.5956
metric properties of the sections are identical to those of the two 400 200 50 25 0.5939
other sections. 300 150 10 5 0.5980
240 120 10 5 0.5978
It can be seen from Fig. 6 that in local buckling, variations in
geometric properties have the same effects on critical stress as in 250 300 10 20 1.136
250 300 15 30 1.135
I-shape and box sections. Furthermore, because the flange of the
300 360 10 20 1.136
channel section has a lower stiffening effect on the web than it 300 360 15 30 1.136
has in I-shape and box sections, the local buckling stress in the
channel section is lower than those in the I-shape and box sections.
 2
12ð1  txy tyx Þ bf
5.6. Design curves for I-shape sections kf ¼ : rcr ð48Þ
Ex 2tf
Critical stresses calculated by the finite strip method are shown The results show that when the ratio of flange width to web
in Table 2 for various geometric properties of different sections. depth, bf =bw , and their thickness ratios are kept constant, the buck-
In Table 2, kf is the buckling coefficient of the flange in I-shape ling coefficients also remain constant. Based on the data in Table 2
sections defined by and a large number of other reported examples, three design

1.4
tf/tw=0.2
tf/tw=0.5
1.2
tf/tw=0.7

tf/tw=1.0
1

tf/tw=1.5
0.8
tf/tw=2.0
kf

tf/tw=2.5
0.6
tf/tw=4.0

0.4

0.2

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
bf /bw

Fig. 8. Design curve for Ex =Ey ¼ 1:0.

0.9

0.8 tf/tw=0.2
tf/tw=0.5
0.7 tf/tw=0.7

0.6 tf/tw=1.0

0.5 tf/tw=1.5
kf

0.4 tf/tw=2.0
tf/tw=2.5
0.3 tf/tw=4.0

0.2

0.1

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
b f /bw

Fig. 9. Design curve Ex =Ey ¼ 2:0.

 H. Amoushahi, M. Azhari / Composite Structures 90 (2009) 92–99
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
kf 0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0 0.5 1 1.5
Fig. 10. Design curve for Ex =Ey ¼ 3:0.
curves may be suggested for design purposes as shown in Figs. 8–
10. Each figure is derived for three quantities of longitudinal to
transitional modulus of elasticity ratios, Ex =Ey , equal to 1.0, 2.0,
and 3.0; The first and the last curves may be used for an isotropic
material and for the most of FRP sections, respectively.
It should be noted that for the first chart Ey =G ¼ 2:6 represents
steel properties while the two other Ey =G ¼ 3:0 are applicable to
FRP materials [1].
The critical stress can be calculated by deriving the buckling
coefficient kf from design curves and using Eq. (48).
6. Conclusions
The complex semi-analytical finite strip method has been used
to study the buckling of FRP composite structural shapes in bend-
ing. Because the ratios of strength and modulus of elasticity are far
higher in FRP materials than those of steel, strength is not usually
used for designing FRP sections and failure conditions are attained
for buckling phenomena. In particular, local buckling is related to
the section shape, its geometric properties and strength of
materials.
In present study, the standard finite element procedure, based
on virtual work is used to derive stability and stiffness matrices.
In-plane and out-of-plane matrices were derived independently
from each other. The critical stresses can be evaluated by solving
eigenvalue problem for each half-wavelength. The results show
that the critical stresses obtained from the complex finite strip
method are in good agreement with those obtained from the
experimental tests and analytical studies were reported in refer-
ences [1,11]. For design purposes, three design curves have been
suggested for I-shape sections.
Numerical studies show that critical local buckling stresses in
box sections are higher than those in I-shape sections with similar
properties while they are higher in I-shape sections that in channel
sections.
The finite strip method may be used to investigate both local
and lateral-torsional buckling in sections. It shows that the appli-
cation of closed sections such as Box sections is different from open
sections such as I-shape and channel sections.
99
tf/tw=0.2
tf/tw=0.5
tf/tw=0.7
tf/tw=1.0
tf/tw=1.5
tf/tw=2.0
tf/tw=2.5
tf/tw=4.0
2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
bf /bw
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