Importance of Beam Connection Details in FEA LTB Analysis
Boundary conditions at the beam connection can have a significant impact on the lateral-torsional buckling (LTB) behavior of a structure. Using an IPE 400 beam restrained between two continuous columns, let's explore this effect through a surface FEA model.
Two configurations of boundary conditions were analyzed:
1️⃣ Rigid connection to the flange of an 𝘂𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 column
2️⃣ Rigid connection to the flange of a 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 column
Adding stiffeners in the second configuration substantially increased the joint’s initial stiffness, reduced deformation, and enhanced overall resistance to LTB. The results, analyzed in RFEM, highlight how proper stiffening improves not only the moment connection (e.g., web panel failure) but also the structural stability as a whole. 🏗️
