Lateral buckling resistance of inelastic I-beams under off-shear center loading

Lateral-torsional buckling (LTB) strength of steel I-beams subjected to moment gradient loading is scaled by the moment gradient factor, C_b. The C_b factor depends on the non-uniformity of moment diagram, the height of the applied transverse loads within the unbraced length and end conditions. Generally, the C_b factors given by codes have been derived from elastic LTB analysis theory. However, the same C_b factors are used for beams that buckle inelastically. This paper develops a three dimensional finite element model using ANSYS for the inelastic nonlinear flexural-torsional analysis of I-beams and uses it to investigate the effects of unbraced length and central off-shear center loading (located at center, top flange and bottom flange) on the moment gradient factor in inelastic behavioral zone. It is found that the C_b factors given by AISC-LRFD in Specification for structural steel buildings (AISC 360-05) and Structural Stability Research Council Guidelines are not accurate for the point load cases applied at center and bottom flange in which I-beam buckles inelastically. It is seen also that the AISC-LRFD flexural resistance equations overestimate the actual moment capacity of inelastic I-beams under moment gradient. Therefore, a simple equation is proposed to be used instead of the code equation in inelastic zone for the investigated load cases in this paper.