Numerical analysis of overall stability of unbraced stainless steel simply-supported beams with fabricated I-section

In order to obtain information on the lateral buckling strength of stainless steel I-beams to propose the design formulae for the stability factors, this paper focuses on the overall buckling of laterally-unrestrained stainless steel I-beams. The design methods in current codes are discussed, and the results from these codes are compared with the finite element analysis (FEA) results. The influence from the material property on the overall stability of stainless steel beams is also investigated. Based on the FEA results, the design method on overall buckling strength of steel beams specified in the Chinese standard GB 50017-2003 is modified to calibrate the overall stability of stainless steel bending members with welded I-section. Through the comparison with EC3: 1993-1-4 and the FEA results, the proposed formulae in this paper are proved to be applicable in the design of overall stability of stainless steel bending members.