A shear panel allows you to create the stabilizing effect of structural components such as steel trapezoidal sheet metals or bracings, which support the compression flange of a cross-section. Thus, a shear panel has a positive effect on the lateral-torsional buckling resistance of the members susceptible to buckling.
The application of a continuous lateral support is described in EN 1993-1-1, Annex BB.2.1, and EN 1993-1-3, Clause 10.1.5.1.
Entering in RFEM/RSTAB
The shear panel stiffness can be taken into account in various design add-ons. For this, it is necessary to define a member shear panel in the Types for Members category. It can be described by the following parameters:
- Trapezoidal Sheeting
- Bracing
- Trapezoidal Sheeting and Bracing
- Manual specification of the stiffness
The trapezoidal sheeting can be selected from a library. Geometric parameters such as the shear panel length or the distance of posts can be determined graphically in the work window.
Based on the boundary conditions, the program determines the existing shear panel stiffness and uses it as a continuous lateral support of the cross-section. The member shear panel has to be assigned when defining a member support and finally to the members or member sets.