Classification of cross-section

Cross-sections with slender flanges or webs can be subject to distortions; this is referred to as local buckling. The cross-sectional shapes of rolled steel sections are designed to provide efficient performance for specific uses. For instance Universal Beams have deep webs, providing a section with good bending characteristics. However if the depth is increased too much, the cross-section may be subject to distortion when fully loaded. This is known as local buckling. Local buckling is different from the form of buckling referred to above where the behaviour of the element over its full length is considered. Rather it is dependent on the proportions of the cross-section. A rolled steel section could be considered as an assembly of flat plates (although this is not how they are normally manufactured). Thus an I beam can be thought of as two flange plates and a web plate. If the width of these in relation to their thickness becomes very large local buckling may be precipitated. Local buckling is controlled by limiting cross-section proportions.In order to control this, BS 5950 classifies cross-sections according to the following:

The 'slenderness' of the component plates The characteristic strength of the material, and The type of loading to which the member is exposed.

The slenderness of the component plates is defined as the ratio of the plate width to its thickness. In the case of webs of I sections or the walls of hollow sections, the depth is simply the distance between the adjoining flanges. However for the flanges of I sections it is the clear distance between the web plate and the extremity of the flange. Limits are more severe for higher grades of steel. Because higher grades of steel are likely to be more highly stressed, the possibility of local buckling is increased. (Increasing strength provides no improvement in local buckling behaviour). The limits are therefore rather more severe for the higher steel grades. Local buckling is induced by compression stresses within the cross-section. The local buckling phenomenon occurs largely as a result of compression stresses. Plates which are exposed to such stress are thus at most risk. For example the web of a column, which is in compression throughout, is much more vulnerable than the web of a beam, where the stress varies throughout its depth from compression to tension. Different classes of cross-section, depending on their proportions, are defined in BS5950; the overall member capacity for some classes may be reduced. Cross-sections are classified as "plastic", "compact", "semi-compact" or "slender" according to the proportions of the cross-section. Plastic and compact sections can achieve their full load carrying capacity whilst semi-compact and slender sections may be subject to prior local buckling. Such cross-sections are not prohibited, but the calculated load carrying capacity must be reduced to avoid the possibility of local buckling. It must be emphasised that the definition of slenderness in this context is quite different from that used in relation to the overall buckling of beams and columns. Here we are concerned only with the proportions of the cross-section, whilst overall buckling is largely dependent on the length of the column or beam. For standard cross-sections, local buckling is rarely critical.

In general rolled steel sections are of such proportions that local buckling is not a problem, but built-up sections such as plate girders need careful attention.