EFFECTIVE MODULUS METHOD (EMM) CONCEPT APPLIED TO THIN-WALLED STEEL BEAMS AFFECTED BY LOCAL-DISTORTIONAL INTERACTION

The Effective Modulus Method (EMM), which simulates the effects of local and distortional post-buckling to establish simplified design methodologies concept, is applied to the determination of the beam strength. This methodology was presented before [1], where the authors tested the results in columns, in comparison with experimental tests. In this approach, local and distortional post-buckling effects are simulated by changing the mechanical characteristics (namely the elasticity modulus) of the cross-section of the members. Specifically, the paper presents (i) the proposal of a new design methodology for beams affected by local and distortional buckling modes interaction and (ii) the comparison with experimental tests available in the literature.