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Local Buckling &

Section Classification

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Outline
Introduction
Classes of Cross‐Sections
Maximum Width to Thickness Ratios for Compression Parts
Internal Compression Parts
Internal Compression Parts
Outstand Compression Parts
Angles & Tubular Sections
Effective Cross‐Section for Class 4 Sections
Class 3 Web + Class 1 or 2 Flange
Examples
Example SC‐1 (Section classification for combined bending and compression)
Example SC 1 (Section classification for combined bending and compression)
Example SC‐2 (Effective area of a Class 4 compression member)
Example SC‐3 (Section with Class 3 web and Class 1 flanges)

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Introduction
 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.
stress, 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
cross-section
section is taken as the least
favourable of the constituent elements.

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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 fy
is reached due to slenderness

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Local Buckling and Section Classification

Factors Influencing Local Buckling b

2
2E  t 
 cr  k
12(1   2 )  b 
t
– Boundary conditions
internal elements or outstands
– Local Slenderness
• d/t – internal element ((eg.
g web))
• b/T – outstand (eg. flange)
– Young’s modulus
– Yield strength
– Stress distribution
– Strain (deformation) requirement
– Residual stresses
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Elements to be classified
Outstand Internal element
cf Flange

Web
h t
cw

cf b

Universal Beam
For a Hot finished RHS
cf = (b-2r - tw)/2 cw=h-2(tf + r)
cf = b-2(tw+r) cw=h-2(t + r)
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Classes of Cross-
Cross-Sections

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Why classify ? fy fy fy fy

Neutral
axis

Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4

Bending stress distributions at maximum moment capacity

Class 2 Class 1
Mpl
Mel M M
Class 3 Neutral
axis
oment

Class 4 
Mo

Rotational capacity
Rotation, 

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Classes of Cross-
Cross-Sections

Cross sections with both plastic moment capacity and plastic hinge rotation
Class 1 capacity.
Mc,Rd = fyWpl /M0
Cross-sections with plastic moment capacity but limited plastic hinge
Class 2 rotation capacity.
Mc,Rd = fyWpl /M0
Cross-sections in which the stress in the extreme compression fibre can
Class 3 reach the yield strength, but only the elastic moment capacity can be Mc,Rd = fyWel /M0
developed.
Cross-sections in which local buckling will occur before the attainment of
Class 4 yield stress.
Mc,Rd = fyWeff /M0

Class 2 Class 1
fy Mpl
Mel
Class 3

Moment
Stress

Class 4
Rotational capacity
Strain Rotation, 

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Maximum Width to Thickness Ratios

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Max Width-
Width-to
to--Thickness Ratios for Compression Parts
EN 1993-1-1 (Table 5.2)
Internal COMPRESSION Parts Web

235 Internal

fy Flange

Part subject Part subject to Part subject to Stress distribution

Class
to bending compression bending and compression (compression +ve)
396
when   0.5 : c / t 
c / t  72 c / t  33 13  1
1 36
when   0.5 : c / t 

456
when   0.5 : c / t 
13  1
2 c / t  83 c / t  38
41.5
when   0.5 : c / t 

42
when  1 : c / t 
0.67  0.33
3 c / t  124 c / t  42
when  1 : c / t  62 (1  ) 

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Consider the case of I or H section subjected to compression and major axis bending, where
the neutral axis lies within the web.

The ratio of the compressed width to the total width The ratio of the tensile stress to the compressive stress
of the element, , can be calculated as follows: at the extreme fibers, , can be calculated as follows:

fy fy
tf
+
1 N Ed
+ c c
c h h
2 tw f y – tw –
fy f y
 2N 
c  h  2(t f  r )    1  Ed 
 Af y 
c 1 N Ed 
c   
2 2 t w f y 
 h 1 N Ed 
   (t f  r ) 
2 2t f 
 w y 

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Max Width-
Width-to
to--Thickness Ratios for Compression Parts
EN 1993-1-1 (Table 5.2)
Outstand COMPRESSION Parts
Outstand
Flange

Part subject to bending and compression

Part subject to Stress distribution
Class
compression (compression +ve) Ti Tip iin St
Stress di t ib ti
distribution Ti
Tip iin St
Stress di t ib ti
distribution
compression (compression +ve) tension (compression +ve)

9 9
1 c / t  9 c/t  c/t 
  

10 10
2 c / t  10 c/t  c/t 
  

3 c / t  14 c / t  21 k c / t  21 k

Determination of 2 1 1 1 2 1
Buckling Factor k 2 ≤ 1 2 ≤ 1
+ + + +
2 - - 2
c c c c
EN 1993-1-5 (Table 4.2)
=2/1 1 0 -1 1 ≥  ≥ -3 =2/1 1 1≥≥0 0 0 ≥  ≥ -1 -1
k 0.43 0.57 0.85 0.57 - 0.21 + 0.07 2 k 0.43 0.578/( + 0.34) 1.70 1.7 - 5 + 17.1 2 23.8
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Max Width-
Width-to
to--Thickness Ratios for Compression Parts
EN 1993-1-1 (Table 5.2)
Angles Tubular Sections
(not in continuous contact with other components)

Class Section in compression Class Section in bending and/or compression

1 h / t  9 1 d / t  50 2

2 h / t  10 2 d / t  70 2

bh
3 h / t  15 ,  23 3 d / t  90 2
t
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Effective Cross
Cross--Section
for Class 4 Sections

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Effective Cross-
Cross-Section for Class 4 Sections
EN 1993-1-5 Clause 4.4

Ac ,eff  Ac The effective area Aeff should be determined assuming that the cross section is subject
only to uniform axial compression
compression.
The effective section modulus Weff should be determined assuming the cross section is subject
beff  bc only to bending moment
moment.
F biaxial
For bi i l bending,
b di effective
ff i section
i moduli
d li should
h ld be
b determined
d i d about
b bbothh main i axes.
where Ac and bc are respectively the area of the section and the width of the element in compression.

Steps in determining the reduction factor for plate buckling 
 Determine the stress distribution
Additional rules for elements of I section and Box Girder
For flange elements, use the gross cross-
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  2 /1 and buckling factor k

This depends on whether it is internal or external compression element.
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Stress ratio  and buckling factor k

Internal Compression Elements
 k Common values of 
1 1 1≥≥0 8.2/(1.05 + )  1 0 –1
2
2 0 ≥  ≥ –1 7.81 – 6.29 + 9.78 2 k 4.0 7.81 23.9

–11 ≥  ≥ –33 5 98(1 –  2)

5.98(1

Outstand Compression Elements
Tip under larger
larger compressive stress
 k Common values of 
1
2 1 1 ≥  ≥ –3 0.57 – 0.21 + 0.07 2  1 0 –1
2
k 0 43 0.57
0.43 0 57 0.85
0 85

Tip under smaller
smaller compressive stress
 k Common values of 
1 1 1≥≥0 0.578/( + 0.34)  1 0 –1
2
2 0 ≥  ≥ –1 1.7 – 5 + 17.1 2 k 0.43 1.70 23.8

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 bw for webs
fy b /t b
 Calculate  p   
for internal flange elements (except RHS)
 cr 28.4 k b   b – 3t for flanges of RHS
c for outstand flanges
 h for angles

 Calculate 
Internal compression elements
  1.0 for  p  0.5  0.085  0.055
 p  0.055(3  )
  1.0 for  p  0.5  0.085  0.055
 p2

Outstand compression elements
  1.0
10 for  p  0.748
0 748
  0.188
 p 2  1.0 for  p  0.748
p

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Effective Width for Class 4 Elements

Internal Compression Elements
bc bt
1 2 1 1
2
2
be1 be 2 be1 be 2 be1 be 2
b b b
b
beff   b beff   b beff   bc 
1 
2 3 
be1  0.5beff be 2  0.5beff be1  beff be 2  beff be1  0.4beff be 2  0.6beff
5  5 

Outstand Compression Elements
Tip under larger
larger compressive stress Tip under smaller
smaller compressive stress
bt bc bc bt

1 1 1 1
2 2
2 2
beff beff beff beff
c c
b b
beff   c beff   bc  beff   c beff   bc 
1  1 

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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-sections with the compressed portion of the web being
replaced by a part of 20tw 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 20tw adjacent to the plastic neutral axis of the effective cross-section.

Neglected ineffective area
b b fy

20tw 20tw –
z Compression
h 20tw 20tw –
tw tw Plastic neutral axis
40tw Tension +

fy

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Implications for Design

• Class 1. Plastic – must be used in plastic
d i
design, can sustain
t i high
hi h strain.
t i Can
C b
be
used without restriction in “normal” design
• Class 2 Compact –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 4 Slender – Effective section
properties must be used
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Based on Steel building

design: Design data

n limit = NE,d/ Npl,Rd

Class 3 limit

Class 2 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).
• N
None off th
the universal
i l beam
b andd column
l sections
ti in
i
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
g 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 =
NEd/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
2 Determine 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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Example SCSC--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.

Design Strength
tw = 7.7mm, tf = 10.9mm.
Maximum thickness = 10.9mm < 16mm (EN 10025-2)
For S275 steel, fy = 275N/mm2
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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
Cross
Classification of Flange
 = (235 / fy)0.5 = 0.92
cf
 6.86  9  9 * 0.92  8.32
tf
 Flange is Class 1.

Classification of Web
cw
 46.8  42  42 * 0.92  38.8
tw
 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

Cross
Flange classification remains the same as Class 1.
Classification of Web
1  h 1 N Ed 
     (t f  r )   1

c  2 2 tw f y 
1  402.6 1 300000 
    (10.9  10.2)   1
360.4  2 2 7.7 * 275 
 0.70

456 456 * 0.92 456

  52.33 when   0.5 : c / t 
13  1 13 * 0.70  1 13  1
cw 456
 46.8
46 8   52.3
52 3
tw 13  1
 Web is Class 2.

Under combined loading, the overall cross-section is therefore Class 2.

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Based on Steel building design:

Design data
Page C-149
n = 300/1900= 0.16<0.217 Section is Class 2

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Example SCSC--2: Effective area of a Class 4 compression member

A welded member shown below, is to be designed to resist axial compression. Classify the
cross-section and determine the effective area for this section which is joined by welds of leg
length s = 8mm and the plates are made of S355 steel.

400
12

424
10

Design Strength
tw = 10.0mm, tf = 12.0mm.
Maximum thickness = 12.0mm < 16mm (EN 10025-2)
For S355 steel, fy = 355N/mm2

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Section Classification
Classification of Flange (outstand compression element)
 = (235 / fy)0.5 = 0.814
cf 0.5 * (b f  t w  2 s ) 0.5 * (400  10  2 * 8) 187
    15.6  14  14 * 0.814  11.4
tf tf 12 12
 Flange is Class 4.

Classification of Web (internal compression element)

cw ( hw  2t f  2 s ) (424  2 * 12  2 * 8) 384
    38.4  42  42 * 0.814  34.2
tw tw 10 10
 Web is Class 4.

Under compression, the overall cross-section is therefore Class 4.

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Effective Flange Area

k , f  0.43  1 0 –1
cf / tf 187/12 k 0.43 0.57 0.85
 p, f    1.03  0.748
28.4 k , f 28.4 * 0.814 * 0.43
Uniform compression
  0.188 1.03  0.188
f  p 2   0.795  1.0
p 1.032
Aeff , f  4  c f t f  2t f (t w  2s )  4 * 0.795 * 187 * 12  2 * 12 * (10  2 * 8)  7756mm2

Effective Web Area

k , w  4.0
cw / t w 384/10  1 0 –1
 p,w    0.83 k 4.0 7.81 23.9
28.4 k , w 28.4 * 0.814 * 4.0
Since  p, w  0.83
0 83  0.5
0 5  0.085 0 055  0.673,
0 085  0.055 0 673 149
  0.055(3  ) 0.673  0.055(3  1.0) 12
w  p   1.00  1.0
 p2 0.6732
Aeff ,w   cwt w  2t w s  1.00 * 384 * 10  2 * 10 * 8  4000mm2 424
10
Total Effective Area Aeff  Aeff , f  Aeff , w  7756  4000  11756mm2
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Compression resistance
NR,d = Aeff fy

= 11756 x 355 x 10-3

= 4173 kN

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Example SC
SC--3: Section with Class 3 web and Class 1 flange
Determine the section modulus of a welded I section of grade S275 steel, which is made of
two 200x16mm flanges and a 600x6mm web, The leg length of the weld s is 6.0mm.

b=200
tf=16
s=66

tw=6
h=582 hw=550

Design Strength
tw = 6.0mm, tf = 16.0mm.
Maximum thickness = 16mm ≤ 16mm (EN 10025-2)
For S275 steel, fy = 275N/mm2
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Section Classification
Cross--section classification under pure bending
Cross
Classification of Flange
 = (235 / fy)0.5 = 0.92
cf 0.5 * (200  6  2 * 6)
  5.69  9  8.32
tf 16
 Flange is Class 1.

Classification of Web
cw (550  2 * 6)
  89.7  124  114.6
tw 6
 Web is Class 3.

Under pure bending

bending, the flange is Class 1 and the web is Class 33.

Section Modulus
We can classify the overall cross-section as Class 3 and compute the elastic section modulus
Class 3 cross
cross--section
I yy [200 * (550  2 * 16) 3  (200  6) * 550 3 ]/12
Wel , y    2.05 * 10 6 mm 3
(h/ 2) 0.5 * (550  2 * 16)
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We can also classify the overall cross-section as effective Class 2 and compute the effective plastic
section modulus
Effective Class 2 cross
cross--section
The depth measured from the top of the section to the plastic neutral axis of the effective section is:
b

20tw
z  hw  t f  s  (2 * 20t w )
z
 550  16  6  (2 * 20 * 0.92 * 6)
h 20tw
 339.2mm
tw
40tw

W pl , y ,eff  bt f ( hw  t f )  t w (20t w  s )[ hw  (20t w  s )]  t w (20t w )(20t w )

 200 * 16 * (550  16)  6 * (20 * 0.92 * 6  6) * [550  (20 * 0.92 * 6  6)]  6 * (20 * 0.92 * 6)2
 2.19 * 106 mm3

For the chosen section, the use of effective Class 2 plastic properties results in an increase in section
modulus of approximately 3%.
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Moment Resistance

MR,d = Wel,y fy

Or

MR,d = Wpl,y,eff fy

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Example SC4
S275 steel 457x152x52 UB
T b Grade S275

A) Subject to bending about

r
it’s major axis
D t
d B) Subject to 800kN axial load
and bending about it’s major
axis
B
C) Subject to 1500kN axial
load and bending about it’s
major axis

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Based on Steel building

design: Design data

Page C-147

Class 2 if n < 0.169 or

NEd < 0.169 x 1830 = 309kN

Class 3 if n < 0.586 or

F < 0.586 x 1830 = 1073 kN

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a) Pure bending about it’s major axis

S275 steel 457x152x52 UB Grade S275

A) Subject to bending about it’s major axis

n = 0,
0 therefore class 2
Npl,Rd =fyA
Mpl,Rd = fyWpl,Rd
B) Subject to 800kN axial load and bending about it’s major axis
n = 800/1830 = 0.437 > 0.169 class 3
Npl,Rd =fyA
Mel,Rd
el Rd = fyWel,Rd
el Rd
C) Subject to 1500kN axial load and bending about it’s major axis
n = 1500/1830 = 0.82>0.586 class 4
Npl,Rd =fyAeff
Mel,Rd = fyWeff
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Summary
For optimum design of welded section, the
d i
designer h
has th
the ffollowing
ll i choices
h i
1. Eliminate local buckling by ensuring
width-to-thickness ratio is sufficiently
small
2 If higher width-to-thickness is used,
2. used use
stiffeners to reduce plate width
3. Determine section capacity allowing for
local buckling
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Provide stiffeners to reduce the width of compression elements

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