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Local Buckling &
Section Classification
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Introduction
ClassesofCrossSections
MaximumWidthtoThicknessRatiosforCompressionParts
InternalCompressionParts
OutstandCompressionParts
Angles&TubularSections
EffectiveCrossSectionforClass4Sections
Class3Web+Class1or2Flange
Examples
ExampleSC1(Sectionclassificationforcombinedbendingandcompression)
ExampleSC2(EffectiveareaofaClass4compressionmember)
ExampleSC3(SectionwithClass3webandClass1flanges)
Outline
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Steel members are generally composed of thin elements for structural
efficiency.
The slender elements are prone to local instabilities under compressive
stress, even before the yield strength is reached.
The effects of local buckling are accounted for in EC3 by classifying the
cross-section into Classes 1, 2, 3 or 4.
Cross-section classification is made by comparing actual width-to-
thickness ratios of the plate elements with a set of limiting values.
The classification of the overall cross-section is taken as the least
favourable of the constituent elements.
Introduction
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Local Buckling
When the section is not standard section but fabricated
from thin elements, the section element may buckle
locally before f
y
is reached due to slenderness
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Local Buckling and Section Classification
Factors Influencing Local Buckling
Boundary conditions
internal elements or outstands
Local Slenderness
d/t internal element (eg. web)
b/T outstand (eg. flange)
Youngs modulus
Yield strength
Stress distribution
Strain (deformation) requirement
Residual stresses
b
t
5
Elements to be classified
For a Hot finished RHS
c
f
=(b-2r - t
w
)/2 c
w
=h-2(t
f
+r)
Universal Beam
c
f
=b-2(t
w
+r)
c
w
=h-2(t +r)
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c
f
h
c
w
b
t
Web
Flange
Outstand
c
f
Internal element
c
w
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Classes of Cross-Sections
Why classify ?
Class 1
Rotation, u
M
o
m
e
n
t
M
pl
M
el
Rotational capacity
Class 2
Class 3
Class 4
u
M M
Neutral
axis
Neutral
axis
Bendingstressdistributions at maximum moment capacity
Class 2
f
y
Class 3
f
y
Class 4
f
y
Class 1
f
y
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Strain
S
t
r
e
s
s
f
y
Classes of Cross-Sections
Class 1
Cross sections with both plastic moment capacity and plastic hinge rotation
capacity.
M
c,Rd
= f
y
W
pl
/
M0
Class 2
Cross-sections with plastic moment capacity but limited plastic hinge
rotation capacity.
M
c,Rd
= f
y
W
pl
/
M0
Class 3
Cross-sections in which the stress in the extreme compression fibre can
reach the yield strength, but only the elastic moment capacity can be
developed.
M
c,Rd
= f
y
W
el
/
M0
Class 4
Cross-sections in which local buckling will occur before the attainment of
yield stress.
M
c,Rd
= f
y
W
eff
/
M0
Class 1
Rotation, u
M
o
m
e
n
t
M
pl
M
el
Rotational capacity
Class 2
Class 3
Class 4
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Maximum Width to Thickness Ratios
for Compression Parts
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Internal COMPRESSIONParts
Class
Partsubject
to bending
Partsubjectto
compression
Partsubjectto Stress distribution
bendingandcompression (compression+ve)
1
2
3
Max Width-to-Thickness Ratios for Compression Parts
Web
Internal
Flange
EN 1993-1-1 (Table 5.2)
12
Consider the case of Ior Hsection subjected to compression and major axis bending, where
the neutral axis lies within the web.
+

The ratio of the tensile stress to the compressive stress

at the extreme fibers, , can be calculated as follows:
The ratio of the compressed width to the total width
of the element, o, can be calculated as follows:
+

t
f
t
w
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Class
Partsubjectto Stress distribution
compression (compression+ve)
Partsubjectto bendingandcompression
Tipin Stress distribution
compression (compression+ve)
Tipin Stress distribution
tension (compression+ve)
1
2
3
Outstand COMPRESSIONParts
Max Width-to-Thickness Ratios for Compression Parts
Outstand
Flange
Determination of
Buckling Factor k
o
c
+
o
1 o
2
c
+
o
1
o
2
-
=o
2
/o
1
1 0 -1 1 -3
k
o
0.43 0.57 0.85 0.57 - 0.21 + 0.07
2
c
+ o
2
o
1
c
+
o
2
o
1
-
=o
2
/o
1
1 1 0 0 0 -1 -1
k
o
0.43 0.578/( + 0.34) 1.70 1.7 - 5 + 17.1
2
23.8
o
2
o
1
o
2
o
1
EN 1993-1-1 (Table 5.2)
EN 1993-1-5 (Table 4.2)
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Class Sectionincompression
1
2
3
Angles
(not in continuous contact with other components)
Max Width-to-Thickness Ratios for Compression Parts
Tubular Sections
Class Sectioninbendingand/or compression
1
2
3
EN 1993-1-1 (Table 5.2)
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Effective Cross-Section
for Class 4 Sections
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Effective Cross-Section for Class 4 Sections
EN 1993-1-5 Clause 4.4
Stepsindeterminingthereductionfactorforplatebuckling
Determine the stress distribution
AdditionalrulesforelementsofIsectionandBoxGirder
For flange elements, use the gross cross-sectional area to determine the stress distribution.
For web elements, use the effective area of the compression flange and the gross area of the web to
determine the stress distribution.
Determine stress ratio =o
2
/o
1
and buckling factor k
o
This depends on whether it is internal or external compression element.
The effective area A
eff
should be determined assuming that the cross section is subject
only to uniform axial compression.
The effective section modulus W
eff
should be determined assuming the cross section is subject
only to bending moment.
For biaxial bending, effective section moduli should be determined about both main axes.
where A
c
and b
c
are respectively the area of the section and the width of the element in compression.
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o
2
o
1
o
2
o
1
InternalCompressionElements
1 0 1
k
o
4.0 7.81 23.9
Common values of
OutstandCompressionElements
o
1
o
2
o
1
o
2
o
2
o
1
o
2
o
1
1 0 1
k
o
0.43 0.57 0.85
Common values of
Tipunderlarger compressivestress
1 0 1
k
o
0.43 1.70 23.8
Common values of
Tipundersmaller compressivestress
k
o
1 0 8.2/(1.05 + )
0 1 7.81 6.29 + 9.78
2
1 3 5.98(1
2
)
k
o
1 3 0.57 0.21 + 0.07
2
k
o
1 0 0.578/( + 0.34)
0 1 1.7 5 + 17.1
2
Stress ratio and buckling factor k
o
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Calculate
b
w
for webs
b for internal flange elements (except RHS)
b 3t for flanges of RHS
c for outstand flanges
h for angles
Calculate
Internalcompressionelements
Outstandcompressionelements
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o
2
o
1
o
2
o
1
InternalCompressionElements
OutstandCompressionElements
o
1
o
2
o
1
o
2 o
2
o
1
o
2
o
1
Tipunderlarger compressivestress Tipundersmaller compressivestress
o
2
o
1
Effective Width for Class 4 Elements
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Cold formed steel sections
These sections are
made from thin- steel
sheets.
They are prone to
local buckling.
Effective section
properties are needed.
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SSEN 1993-1-3
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Class 3 Web + Class 1 or 2 Flange
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Class 3 Web + Class 1 or 2 Flange
EN 1993-1-1 (Cl 5.5.2(11) & Cl 6.2.2.4)
Cross-sections with Class 3 webs and Class 1 or 2 flanges can be classified as
effective Class 2 cross-sectionswith the compressed portion of the web being
replaced by a part of 20ct
w
adjacent to the compression flange (measured from the base
of the root radius for rolled section and the base of the weld for welded section), with
another part of 20ct
w
adjacent to the plastic neutral axis of the effective cross-section.
b
20ct
w
h
t
w
20ct
w
Compression
Tension
Plastic neutral axis
f
y
f
y

Neglectedineffectivearea
20ct
w
20ct
w
t
w
b
40ct
w
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Implications for Design
Class 1. Plastic must be used in plastic
design, can sustain high strain. Can be
used without restrictionin normaldesign
Class 2Compact can be used with the
plastic modulus in bending
Class3 Semi-compact when in
bending the elastic modulus or an
effective plastic modulus must be used
Class 4Slender Effective section
properties must be used
Section and Design Tables
Steel building design:
Design data,
Publication P363, The
Steel Construction
Institute and the
British Constructional
Steelwork Association
UK, 2009.
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Based on Steel building
design: Design data
n limit =N
E,d
/ N
pl,Rd
Class 2 limit
Class 3 limit
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General Guidance
when using the Deign Tables
Steel building design: Design data, Publication P-363, jointly published by
The Steel Construction Institute and the British Constructional Steelwork
Association UK, 2009 (IVLE).
None of the universal beam and column sections in
grade S275 and S355 are class 4 under bending only.
None of the universal columns can be class 4 under
pure compression; but some universal beams and
hollow sections can be class 4. Sections that can be
class 4 under pure compression are marked with * in
the design tables.
None of the UC or UB sections listed in the design
tables are slender due to the flange being class 4.
Under combined axial compression and bending, the
section would be Class 2 or Class 3 up to given n =
N
Ed
/N
pl,Rd
limits.
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Summary of design procedure
1 Select, from experience, a suitable section
based on the factored load effects
2Determine the section classification
3 If necessary calculate effective plastic
modulus for Class 3 (semi-compact) sections
4 If necessary calculate effective section
properties for class 4(slender sections)
5 Proceed with design procedures suitable for
the section classification
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Examples
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Design Strength
t
w
= 7.7mm, t
f
= 10.9mm.
Maximum thickness = 10.9mm < 16mm(EN10025-2)
For S275 steel, f
y
=275N/mm
2
Example SC-1: Section classification for combined bending and compression
A member is to be designed to carry combined bending and axial load. In the presence of a
major axis (y-y) bending moment and an axial compression of 300kN, determine the cross-
section classification of a 406x178x54UB in grade S275 steel.
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Section Classification
First, classify the cross-section under the most severe loading condition of pure compression to
determine whether anything is to be gained by more precise calculations.
Cross-section classification under pure compression
Classification of Flange
c = (235 / f
y
)
0.5
= 0.92
Flange is Class 1.
Classification of Web
Web is Class 4.
Under pure compression, the overall cross-section is therefore Class 4.
Material efficiency are therefore to be gained by using a more precise approach.
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Cross-section classification under combined loading
Flange classification remains the same as Class 1.
Classification of Web
Web is Class 2.
Under combined loading, the overall cross-section is therefore Class 2.
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Page C-149
n =300/1900=0.16<0.217 Section is Class 2
Based on Steel building design:
Design data
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Example 2
S275 steel 457x152x52 UB
Grade S275
A) Subject to bending about
its major axis
B) Subject to 800kN axial load
and bending about its major
axis
C) Subject to 1500kN axial
load and bending about its
major axis
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Class 2 if n < 0.169 or
N
Ed
< 0.169 x 1830 = 309kN
Class 3 if n < 0.586 or
F < 0.586 x 1830 = 1073 kN
Page C-147
Based on Steel building
design: Design data
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a) Pure bending about its major axis
S275 steel 457x152x52 UB Grade S275
A) Subject to bending about its major axis
n =0, therefore class 2
B) Subject to 800kN axial load and bending about its major axis
n =800/1830 =0.437 >0.169 class 3
C) Subject to 1500kN axial load and bending about its major axis
n =1500/1830 =0.82>0.586 class 4
N
pl,Rd
=f
y
A
eff
M
el,Rd
= f
y
W
eff
N
pl,Rd
=f
y
A
M
pl,Rd
= f
y
W
pl,Rd
N
pl,Rd
=f
y
A
M
el,Rd
= f
y
W
el,Rd
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Summary
For optimum design of welded section, the
designer has the following choices
1. Eliminate local buckling by ensuring
width-to-thickness ratio is sufficiently
small
2. If higher width-to-thickness is used, use
stiffeners to reduce plate width
3. Determine section capacity allowing for
local buckling
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Q1 What happen when the limiting plate
slenderness ratios are exceeded?
Cross section strength cannot be fully developed.
i.e., cross section strength is governed by local buckling
instead of yielding.
Q2 How can we prevent local buckling of a plate
component?
Ensure that b/t ratio is compact. Provide plate stiffener
Questions
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Q3 What effect does a slender and
unstiffened element have on the strength
of compression member as opposed to
that of a non-slender element?
Slender element reduces the compression
resistance of the compression member
because of local buckling effect
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Quiz
Which of the followings are considered to be
an internal elements?
1. leg of an angle
2. flange of a channel
3. Web of a I section
4. Wall of HSS
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Q5 Determine the section classification of
the following sections with S355 steel:
UC 254 x 254 x 89 S275 subject to axial load.
Answer: at least class 2
UC 203 x 203 x 46 S355 subject to bending.
Answer: at least class 2
UB 457 x 152 x 60 S355 subject to bending.
Answer: at least class 2
UB 457 x 152 x 60 S355 subject to axial force
1500kN.
Answer: class 4