Composite Structures 70 (2005) 468–483

www.elsevier.com/locate/compstruct

Explicit local buckling analysis and design of fiber–reinforced

plastic composite structural shapes
Pizhong Qiao *, Luyang Shan
Advanced Materials and Structures Research Group, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Akron,
244 Sumner Street, Akron, OH 44325-3905, USA

Available online 11 November 2004

Abstract

Pultruded fiber–reinforced plastic (FRP) composite structural shapes (beams and columns) are thin-walled open or closed sec-
tions consisting of assemblies of flat plates and commonly made of E-glass fiber and either polyester or vinylester resins. Due to
high strength-to-stiffness ratio of composites and thin-walled sectional geometry of FRP shapes, buckling is the most likely mode
of failure before material failure. In this paper, explicit analyses of local buckling of rectangular orthotropic composite plates with
various unloaded edge boundary conditions (i.e., (1) rotationally restrained along both unloaded edges (RR), and (2) one rotation-
ally restrained and the other free along the unloaded edges (RF)) and subjected to uniform in-plane axial action at simply-supported
loaded edges are first presented. A variational formulation of the Ritz method is used to establish an eigenvalue problem, and expli-
cit solutions of plate local buckling coefficients in term of the rotational restraint stiffness (k) are obtained. The two cases of rota-
tionally restrained plates (i.e., the RR and RF plates) are further treated as discrete plates of closed and open sections, and by
considering the effect of elastic restraints at the joint connections of flanges and webs, the local buckling of different FRP shapes
under uniform axial compression is studied. The approximate expressions of the rotational restraint stiffness (k) for various common
FRP sections are provided, and their application to sectional local buckling predictions is illustrated. The explicit local buckling
formulas of rotationally restrained plates are validated with the exact transcendental solutions. The analytical predictions for local
buckling of various FRP profiles based on the present discrete plate analysis and considering the elastic restraints of the flange–web
connections are in excellent agreements with available experimental results and finite element eigenvalue analyses. A design guideline
for local buckling prediction and related performance improvement is proposed. The present explicit formulation can be applied
effectively to determine the local buckling capacities of composite plates with elastic restraints along the unloaded edges and can
be further used to predict the local buckling strength of FRP shapes.

2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Local buckling; FRP shapes; Explicit design; Composite plates; Discrete plate analysis; The Ritz formulation

1. Introduction of flat panels and typically manufactured using E-glass

Fiber–reinforced plastic (FRP) composite structural
shapes (beams and columns) are increasingly used in ci-
vil infrastructure applications [1–4]. The common FRP
shapes are thin-walled sections consisting of assemblies
*
Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 330 972 5226; fax: +1 330 972
6020.
E-mail address: qiao@uakron.edu (P. Qiao).
fiber and either polyester or vinylester resins. The shapes
are commonly produced by pultrusion, a continuous
manufacturing process capable of delivering one to five
feet per minute of prismatic thin-walled members. Due
to the thin-walled sectional geometry and relatively
low stiffness of FRP shapes primarily made of E-glass/
polyester composites, problems associated with large
elastic deformation and local buckling are common in
current design of FRP shapes [3,5].

0263-8223/$ - see front matter
2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.compstruct.2004.09.005
 P. Qiao, L. Shan / Composite Structures 70 (2005) 468–483 469

In general, the local buckling analysis of FRP shapes presented the explicit approximate closed-form solution
is accomplished by modeling the flanges and webs indi- for buckling of composite plates with elastically re-
vidually and considering the flexibility of the flange–web strained and free unloaded edges (RF). Kollar [12] illus-
connections. In this type of simulation, each flat panel of trated the local buckling analysis of FRP beams and
prismatic FRP shapes is modeled as an orthotropic com- columns using the discrete plate analysis [5] and apply-
posite plate subjected to elastic restraints along the un- ing the empirical formulas of buckling of orthotropic
loaded edges (i.e., the flange–web connections) [5]. An plates [8,9]. Most recently, Mottram [13] reviewed and
extensive review of the research on composite plate discussed the determination of flange critical local buck-
buckling behavior has been presented by Turvey and ling load for pultruded FRP I-section columns. Even
Marshall [6], and applications of discrete plate analysis though significant research on local buckling of compos-
for local buckling of FRP shapes have been reviewed ite plates is presented in the literature, there are no gen-
and studied by Qiao et al. [5]. Several analytical efforts eral and systematic formulas and practical guidelines
were recently made to develop explicit analyses of local available for explicit local buckling of elastically re-
buckling of orthotropic composite plates with various strained plates, which can be applied easily to predict
unloaded edge boundary conditions. Veres and Kollar the local buckling design analysis of FRP shapes. There
[7] presented the approximate closed-form formulas is a need to develop simple yet relatively accurate step-
for local buckling of orthotropic plates with clamped by-step local buckling design procedures of FRP struc-
and/or simply-supported edges and subjected to biaxial tural shapes that can be conveniently adopted in the
normal forces. By observing the solutions of composite design practice.
plates with either simply-supported or fully clamped In this paper, the explicit solutions for local buckling
(built-in) unloaded edges, Kollar [8] proposed an empir- of FRP plates elastically restrained along the unloaded
ical solution for local buckling of unidirectionally edges are presented, and their applications to six com-
loaded orthotropic plates with rotationally restrained monly used pultruded FRP profiles, namely, I-, box-,
unloaded edges. Later, Kollar [9] used a similar ap- C-, T-, Z- and L-sections, are considered. For the box-,
proach to develop the closed-form solutions for buck- I-, C- and Z-sections, the web portions can be modeled
ling of unidirectionally loaded orthotropic plates with as an orthotropic laminated plate element connected to
either clamped-free (CF) or rotationally restrained-free the top and bottom flanges, and they are equivalent to a
(RF) unloaded edges. By applying a variational formu- plate elastically restrained at two simply-supported un-
lation of the Ritz method to establish an eigenvalue loaded edges (RR) and under uniformly distributed
problem, Qiao and Zou [10] developed the explicit solu- compression loading at two opposite edges (see Fig.
tion for buckling of composite plates with elastic re- 1(a)). Similarly, the flanges of I-, C-, Z-, T- and L-sec-
straints at two unloaded edges (RR) and subjected to tions can be simulated as a plate element elastically
nonuniformed in-plane axial action. By considering the restrained at one simply-supported unloaded edge and
combined shape functions of simply-supported and free at the other unloaded edge (RF) (see Fig. 1(b)). A
clamped unloaded edges, Qiao and Zou [11] recently variational approach of the Ritz method used to

b b
Nx Nx

S.S. Edge S.S. Edge

e
dg ge
e
dg ge
I

E
I

eI

R. kR d E k Ed
ate

kL .E a R. a
at

R. x R x ee
R.
Pl

Pl

R. Fr

y y
z S.S. Edge z S.S. Edge

Nx Nx
(a) (b)

I II II II II Note: R.R.- Rotationally Restrained

S.S.- Simply Supported
I I I I II II
II

Fig. 1. Geometry of orthotropic plate elements in FRP shapes: (a) RR unloaded edges and (b) RF unloaded edges.
470 P. Qiao, L. Shan / Composite Structures 70 (2005) 468–483

establish an eigenvalue problem is first presented, and (UC) stored in equivalent elastic rotational springs at
explicit solutions for local buckling problems of two the flange–web connections for the RR and RF plates
types of elastically restrained plates (i.e., RR and RF) are given, respectively, as
(see Fig. 1) are obtained. By considering the effect of
elastic restraints at the flange–web joint connections of Z  !2
1 ow
thin-walled sections in term of the rotational restraint UC ¼ kL dC
2 C oy y¼0
stiffness (k), the explicit formulas of local buckling of
elastically restrained plates are then applied for pre- Z  !2
1 ow
diction of local buckling strength of FRP shapes. The þ kR dC for the RR plate ð3Þ
explicit plate formulas are validated with the exact tran- 2 C oy y¼b
scendental solutions of plate local buckling [5], and their
Z  !2
predictions to local buckling of FRP sections are com- 1 ow
UC ¼ k dC for the RF plate ð4Þ
pared with available experimental data and finite ele- 2 C oy y¼0
ment eigenvalue analyses. Finally, a design guideline
for explicit local buckling design of FRP shapes is corre-
where kL and kR in Eq. (3) are the elastic rotational re-
spondingly developed.
straint stiffness at the restrained edges of y = 0 and b,
respectively (Fig. 1(a)); and k in Eq. (4) is the elastic
rotational restraint stiffness at the restrained edge of
2. Variational formulation for local buckling
y = 0 (Fig. 1(b)). Then, the corresponding first varia-
of elastically restrained plates
tions of strain energy stored in the elastic restraints
along the rotationally restrained boundary of the plate
The local buckling of an orthotropic plate subjected
(dUC) are, respectively,
to uniform in-plane axial load along the simply-sup-
ported edges and rotationally restrained either at two Z  !  !
ow ow
unloaded edges (RR) (Plate I in Fig. 1(a)) or at one un- dU C ¼ k L d dC þ k R
loaded edge with the other free (RF) (Plate II in Fig. C oy y¼0 oy y¼0
1(b)) is briefly presented in this section. A variational Z  !  !
ow ow
formulation of the Ritz method is herein used to analyze
d dC for the RR plate
the elastic buckling of an orthotropic plate with the C oy y¼b oy y¼b
boundary conditions shown in Fig. 1. In the variational ð5Þ
form of the Ritz method, the first variations of the elas-
Z  !  !
tic strain energy stored in the plate (dUe), the strain en- ow ow
ergy stored in the elastic restraints along the rotationally dU C ¼ k d dC for the RF plate
C oy y¼0 oy y¼0
restrained boundaries of the plate (dUC), and the work
done by the in-plane axial force (dV) are computed by ð6Þ
properly choosing out-of-plane buckling displacement
functions (w). The work (V) done by the in-plane uniformly distrib-
The elastic strain energy in an orthotropic plate (Ue) uted compressive force (Nx) can be written as
is given as Z Z
1
Z Z n V ¼ Nx w2;x dx dy ð7Þ
1 2
Ue ¼ D11 w2;xx þ D22 w2;yy þ 2D12 w;xx w;yy X
2 X
o where Nx is defined as the uniform compressive force per
þ4D66 w2;xy dx dy ð1Þ unit length at the simply-supported boundary of x = 0
and a. Thus, the first variation of work done by the
where Dij (i, j = 1, 2, 6) are the plate bending stiffness in-plane axial force becomes
coefficients [14] and X is the area of the plate. Therefore, Z Z
the first variational form of elastic strain energy stored dV ¼ N x w;x dw;x dx dy ð8Þ
in the plate (dUe) becomes X
Z Z

Using the equilibrium condition of the first varia-
dU e ¼ D11 w;xx dw;xx þ D22 w;yy dw;yy tional principle of the total potential energy
X
  
þD12 dw;xx w;yy þ w;xx dw;yy þ 4D66 w;xy dw;xy dx dy dP ¼ dU e þ dU C  dV ¼ 0 ð9Þ
ð2Þ
and substituting the proper out-of-plane displacement
For the plate with rotational restraints distributed function (w) into Eq. (9), the standard buckling eigen-
along the unloaded boundary edges, the strain energy value problem can be solved by the Ritz method.
 P. Qiao, L. Shan / Composite Structures 70 (2005) 468–483 471
   
3. Explicit solutions for local buckling of elastically y 3 y 2 1 y 3
wðx; yÞ ¼ ð1  xÞ þ x 
restrained plates b 2 b 2 b
X 1
mpx
To solve the eigenvalue problem, it is very important
am sin ð13Þ
m¼1
a
to choose the proper out-of-plane buckling displacement
function (w). In this study, to explicitly obtain the ana- where x is the unknown constant which can be obtained
lytical solutions for local buckling of two representative by satisfying the boundary conditions. When x = 0.0, it
plates (i.e., the RR and RF plates) as shown in Fig. 1, corresponds to the displacement function of the SF plate;
the unique buckling displacement fields are proposed, whereas x = 1.0 relates to that of the CF plate. The
respectively. boundary conditions along the rotationally restrained
For the RR plate in Fig. 1(a), the displacement func- (y = 0) and free (y = b) unloaded edges are specified as
tion chosen by combining harmonic and polynomial
wðx; 0Þ ¼ 0 ð14aÞ
buckling deformation functions is stated as [10]

2 

y  y 2 y 3  y 4 ow ow
wðx; yÞ ¼ þ w1 þ w2 þ w3 M y ðx; 0Þ ¼ D22 ¼ k ð14bÞ
b b b b oy 2 y¼0 oy y¼0
X 1
mpx


am sin ð10Þ o2 w o2 w
a M y ðx; bÞ ¼ D12 þ D 22 ¼0 ð14cÞ
m¼1 ox2 oy 2 y¼b

where w1, w2 and w3 are the unknown constants which 


satisfy the boundary conditions. As shown in Fig. 1(a), o o2 w o2 w
V y ðx; bÞ ¼ D12 2 þ D22 2
the boundary conditions along the rotationally re- oy ox oy

2 
strained unloaded edges can be written as o ow
þ2 2D66 ¼0 ð14dÞ
ox oxoy y¼b
wðx; 0Þ ¼ 0 ð11aÞ
Eq. (13) does not exactly satisfy the free edge conditions
wðx; bÞ ¼ 0 ð11bÞ as defined in Eqs. (14c) and (14d). In this study, in order

2 
 to derive the explicit formula for the RF plate, the un-
ow ow ique buckling displacement function in Eq. (13) is used
M y ðx; 0Þ ¼ D22 ¼ k L ð11cÞ
oy 2 y¼0 oy y¼0 to approximate the free edge condition, and it satisfies
2

2 
 the condition of ðooyw2 Þy¼b ¼ 0, which is the dominant
ow ow term for the moment and shear force at y = b. As illus-
M y ðx; bÞ ¼ D22 2
¼ k R ð11dÞ
oy y¼b oy y¼b trated in the later section, the approximate deformation
function (Eq. (13)) provides adequate accuracy of local
Then the assumed displacement function for the RR buckling prediction for the RF plate when compared
plate shown in Fig. 1(a) can be obtained as to the exact transcendental solution [5].


y k L b y 2 12D222 þ D22 ð5k L þ 3k R Þb þ k L k R b2 y 3 12D222 þ D22 ð4k L þ 4k R Þb þ k L k R b2 y 4
wðx; yÞ ¼ þ  þ
b 2D22 b 6D222 þ D22 k R b b 12D222 þ 2D22 k R b b
X 1
mpx

am sin ð12Þ
m¼1
a

Noting that kL and kR are all positive values, as given in
Eq. (12). kL or kR = 0 corresponds to the simply-sup-
ported boundary condition at the rotationally restrained
edges of y = 0 or y = b; whereas, kL or kR = 1 repre-
sents the clamped (built-in) boundary condition at the
Considering Eq. (14b), x is obtained in term of the
rotational restraint stiffness k. Then the displacement
function for the RF plate shown in Fig. 1(b) can be writ-
ten as

   
rotationally restrained edges. bk y bk 3 y 2
wðx; yÞ ¼ 1 þ
For the RF plate shown in Fig. 1(b), the displacement 3D22 þ bk b 3D22 þ bk 2 b
function is chosen by linearly combining the simply-sup-
1
ported-free (SF) and clamped-free (CF) boundary dis- 1  y 3 X mpx
 am sin ð15Þ
placements, and it can be uniquely expressed as 2 b m¼1
a
472 P. Qiao, L. Shan / Composite Structures 70 (2005) 468–483

Similarly, in Eq. (15), k = 0 (simply-supported at the where

rotationally restrained edge) corresponds to the plate
76D222 þ 17D22 k R b þ k 2R b2
with the simply-supported-free (SF) boundary condition g1 ¼ ;
along the unloaded edges; whereas, k = 1 (clamped at D222
the rotationally restrained edge) refers to the one with 1140D222 þ 272D22 k R b þ 17k 2R b2
the clamped-free (CF) boundary condition. For g2 ¼ ;
D222
0 < k < 1, the restrained-free (RF) condition at un-
1116D222 þ 285D22 k R b þ 19k 2R b2
loaded edges is taken into account in the formulation. g3 ¼ ;
By substituting Eq. (12) into Eqs. (2), (5), (8) and D222
summing them according to Eq. (9), the solution of an 36D222 þ 8D22 k R b þ k 2R b2
eigenvalue problem for the RR plate can be obtained. g4 ¼ ;
D222
After some symbolic computation, the local buckling
coefficient for the RR plate (see Fig. 1(a)) can be expli- 54D222 þ 9D22 k R b þ 2k 2R b2
g5 ¼ ;
citly expressed in term of rotational restraint stiffness D222
as 24D222 þ 6D22 k R b þ 19k 2R b2
( g6 ¼ ;
2 D222
RR 10; 080ð6D22 þ k R bÞ c2 k L b
b ¼ 72D222 þ 15D22 k R b þ k 2R b2
g10 k 2L b2 þ 2g2 k L bD22 þ 2g11 D222 2m2 p4 D22 g7 ¼ ;
D222
2 ð20Þ
c2 ð6D22 þ k L bÞ k R b 312D222 þ 70D22 k R b þ 5k 2R b2
þ 2 g8 ¼ ;
2m2 p4 ð6D22 þ k R bÞ D22 D222
  51D222 þ 13D22 k R b þ k 2R b2
c2 g4 k 2L b2 þ 4g5 D22 k L b þ 36g6 D222 g9 ¼ ;
þ D222
2m2 p4 ð6D22 þ k R bÞ2
  152D222 þ 34D22 k R b þ 2k 2R b2
ðD12 þ 2D66 Þ g7 k 2L b2 þ 3g8 D22 k L b þ 72g9 D222 g10 ¼ ;
þ D222
210p2 ð6D22 þ k R bÞ2 D22 4464D222 þ 1140D22 k R b þ 76k 2R b2
 ) g11 ¼ ;
m2 D11 g1 k 2L b2 þ g2 D22 k L b þ 4g3 D222 D222
þ 2
ð16Þ 36D222 þ 13D22 k R b þ k 2R b2
5040c2 ð6D22 þ k R bÞ D22 g12 ¼ ;
D222
where c = a/b is the aspect ratio of the plate. The plate 396D222 þ 156D22 k R b þ 13k 2R b2
local buckling stress resultant (Nx, see Fig. 1(a)) (force g13 ¼ ;
D222
per unit length) can be written in term of the local buck-
ling coefficient as 24D222 þ 11D22 k R b þ k 2R b2
g14 ¼
D222
bRR p2 D22
N RR
x ¼ ð17Þ Noting that Eq. (19) is independent of the number of
b2
buckling half wavelength (m). Finally, the critical local
By minimizing Eq. (16) with respect to the aspect ratio buckling stress resultant, (Nx)cr, for orthortropic plates
(c = a/b) (i.e.,db/dc = 0), the respective critical aspect with the rotationally restrained–restrained (RR) condi-
RR
ratio (cRR
cr ) and critical local buckling coefficient (bcr ) tion (for the plate with the loading and boundary condi-
for the RR plate can be achieved as tions shown in Fig. 1(a)) can be expressed as
(   )1=4
m4 g1 k 2L b2 þ g2 D22 k L b þ 4g3 D222 D11 RR bRR 2
cr p D22
RR ðN x Þcr ¼ ð21Þ
ccr ¼ 0:663   b2
g12 k 2L b2 þ g13 D22 k L b þ 36g14 D222 D22
In a same fashion, by substituting Eq. (15) into Eqs.
ð18Þ (2), (6), (8), then summing according to Eq. (9), and
after some numerical symbolic computation, the local


24  2 2 
bRR
cr ¼  2 2 2
 2 ð D 12 þ 2D66 Þ g7 k L b þ 3g8 D22 k L b þ 72g9 D22
2
p2 D22 g10 k L b þ 2g2 D22 k L b þ 2g11 D22
qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
 2 2 2
 2 2 2

þ3:742 D11 D22 g1 k L b þ g2 D22 k L b þ 4g3 D22 g12 k L b þ g13 D22 k L b þ 36g14 D22 ð19Þ
 P. Qiao, L. Shan / Composite Structures 70 (2005) 468–483 473

buckling coefficient for the RF plate with the loading (see Fig. 2) and their related critical aspect ratio (ccr)
and boundary conditions shown in Fig. 1(b) can be are summarized as follows:
explicitly expressed as Case 1: Plates with two simply-supported unloaded
  edges (SS) (Fig. 2(a)). For the case of kL = kR = 0
RF 140c2 3D22 kb þ k 2 b2 m2 D11
b ¼ 2 4  þ (i.e., the four edges are simply-supported and the plate
m p 140D222 þ 77D22 kb þ 11k 2 b2 c2 D22 is subjected to an uniformly distributed compression
 
28 5D22 kb þ k 2 b2 D12 load in x-direction) (Fig. 2(a)), the explicit critical local
 2  buckling load can be simplified as
p 140D222 þ 77D22 kb þ 11k 2 b2 D22
  2p2
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi 
112 15D222 þ 10D22 kb þ 2k 2 b2 D66 N SS
cr ¼ D11 D22 þ ðD12 þ 2D66 Þ ð27Þ
þ 2  ð22Þ b 2
p 140D222 þ 77D22 kb þ 11k 2 b2 D22
Eq. (27) is identical to the one reported by Qiao et al. [5].
By minimizing Eq. (22) with respect to the aspect ratio The critical aspect ratio for the SS plate obtained from
(c = a/b) (i.e., db/dc = 0), the critical aspect ratio (cRF
cr ) Eq. (18) is given as
and critical local buckling coefficient (bRF cr ) can be estab-
4 1=4
lished for the RF plate, respectively, as SS m D11
ccr ¼ ð28Þ
(  )1=4 D22
RF 140D222 þ 77D22 kb þ 11k 2 b2 D11
ccr ¼ 0:9133m Case 2: Plates with two clamped unloaded edges (CC)
ð3D22 þ kbÞkbD22
(Fig. 2(b)). For the case of kL = kR = 1 (i.e., the two
ð23Þ unloaded edges at y = 0 and b are clamped and the plate

    pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
112 15D222 þ 10D22 kb þ 2k 2 b2 D66  28 5D22 kb þ k 2 b2 D12 4 35D11 kbð3D22 þ kbÞ
bRF
cr ¼   þ q ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
 ffi ð24Þ
p2 140D222 þ 77D22 kb þ 11k 2 b2 D22 p2 D 140D2 þ 77D kb þ 11k 2 b2 22 22 22

Noting that Eq. (24) is again independent of the number is subjected to uniformly distributed compressive load at
of buckling half wavelength (m). simply-supported edges of x = 0 and a) (Fig. 2(b)), the
Finally, the critical stress resultant, ðN x ÞRF
cr , for ortho- explicit critical buckling load can be simplified as
tropic plates with the RF condition (for the plate condi- 24
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi 
tion shown in Fig. 1(b)) can be expressed as N CC
cr ¼ 2 1:871 D11 D22 þ ðD12 þ 2D66 Þ ð29Þ
b
RF bRF 2
cr p D22 Similarly, from Eq. (18), the critical aspect ratio for the
ðN x Þcr ¼ ð25Þ
b2 CC Plate is expressed as
or explicitly in term of the rotational restraint stiffness
4 1=4
m D11
(k), cCC
cr ¼ 0:663 ð30Þ
D22


RF 4
ðN x Þcr ¼   7ð5D22 þ kbÞD12 kb
b 140D222 þ 77D22 kb þ 11k 2 b2
2
qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
 
þ 35ðkb þ 3D22 Þ 140D222 þ 77D22 kb þ 11k 2 b2 D11 D22 kb

 
þ28 15D222 þ 10D22 kb þ 2k 2 b2 D66 ð26Þ

4. Design formulas for orthotropic plates Case 3: Plates with two equal rotational restraints
along unloaded edges (RR) (Fig. 2(c)). For the case
Based on the explicit formulas in Eqs. (21) and (25), of kL = kR = k (i.e., the two unloaded edges at y = 0
design formulas of critical local buckling load (Ncr) for and y = b are subjected to the same rotational restraints,
several common orthotropic plate cases of applications and the plate is simply-supported and subjected to the
474 P. Qiao, L. Shan / Composite Structures 70 (2005) 468–483

Simply supported (S) Simply supported (S)

a a
Ncr b Ncr b
Ncr Ncr

Simply supported (S) Free (F)

(a) (d)
Clamped (C) Clamped (C)

a a
Ncr b Ncr b
Ncr Ncr

Clamped (C) Free (F)

(b) (e)
Restrained (R) Restrained (R)

a k a k
Ncr b Ncr b
Ncr Ncr
k
Free (F)
Restrained (R)
(c) (f)

Fig. 2. Common plates with various unloaded edge conditions: (a) Case 1: SS plate, (b) Case 2: CC plate, (c) Case 3: RR plate, (d) Case 4: SF plate,
(e) Case 5: CF plate and (f) Case 6: RF plate.

uniformly distributed compression load at the edges of 36D222 þ 13D22 kb þ k 2 b2

x = 0 and x = a) (Fig. 2(c)), the explicit critical local g12 ¼ ;
D222
buckling load is given as
 rffiffiffiffi 396D222 þ 156D22 kb þ 13k 2 b2
24 s2 pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi s3 g13 ¼ ;
N RR
cr ¼ 1:871 D D
11 22 þ ðD 12 þ 2D66 Þ ð31Þ D222
b2 s1 s1
24D222 þ 11D22 kb þ k 2 b2
where the coefficients of s1, s2 and s3 are functions of the g14 ¼
D222
rotational restraint stiffness k and defined as
Case 4: Plates with simply-supported and free unloaded
kb k 2 b2
s1 ¼ 124 þ 22 þ ; edges (SF) (Fig. 2(d)). For the case of k = 0, the sim-
D22 D222 ply-supported boundary at one unloaded edge is
kb k 2 b2 achieved. The problem corresponds to the plate under
s2 ¼ 24 þ 14 þ ;
D22 D222 the uniformly distributed compression load at the sim-
ply-supported loaded edges and subjected to the SF
kb k 2 b2
s3 ¼ 102 þ 18 þ ð32Þ boundary conditions (Fig. 2(d)), and the local buckling
D22 D222
load can be obtained as
and the rotational restraint stiffness k is provided later
12D66 p2 D11
for the discrete plates in various FRP thin-walled struc- N SF
cr ¼ þ 2 ð34Þ
tural profiles. The resulting critical aspect ratio for the b2 a
RR plate is thus given as If a  b, Eq. (34) can be further simplified to
(   )1=4 12D66
4 2 2 2
m g 1 k b þ g 2 D22 kb þ 4g 3 D 22 D 11 N SF
cr ¼ ð35Þ
cRR
cr ¼ 0:663   b2
g12 k 2 b2 þ g13 D22 kb þ 36g14 D222 D22
and Eq. (35) is the same as the formula (a  b) given in
ð33Þ Barbero [15].
where Case 5: Plates with clamped and free unloaded edges
(CF) (Fig. 2(e)). For the case of k = 1, the boundary
76D222 þ 17D22 kb þ k 2 b2
g1 ¼ ; is related to clamped-supported at one unloaded edge
D222 and free at another unloaded edge (the CF condition)
1140D222 þ 272D22 kb þ 17k 2 b2 (Fig. 2(e)), and the critical local buckling load and crit-
g2 ¼ ;
D222 ical aspect ratio can be obtained, respectively, as
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
1116D222 þ 285D22 kb þ 19k 2 b2 28D12 þ 4 385D11 D22 þ 224D66
g3 ¼ ; CF
N cr ¼ ð36Þ
D222 11b2
 P. Qiao, L. Shan / Composite Structures 70 (2005) 468–483 475

1=4
D11 5.1. Box-sections
cCF
cr ¼ 1:6633m ð37Þ
D22
When the cross section of a box beam distorts or
Case 6: Plates with elastically retrained and free un- buckles, each of the restraining plates of width c is acted
loaded edges (RF) (Fig. 2(f)). The formulas for the crit- upon by moments My per unit length. My is propor-
ical aspect ratio and critical local buckling load of the tional to sin(npx/a), where a is the length of the plate
general case of elastically restrained at one unloaded and k = a/n is the length of a half wave. The restraining
edge and free at the other (RF) (Fig. 2(f)) are given in plate is bulged alternately upward and downward (see
Eqs. (23) and (26), respectively. Fig. 3) (each panel with the same deformation direction
and half wavelength k = a/n in the restraining element
can be represented by a plate simply-supported on four
edges and loaded symmetrically on two opposite edges
5. Determination of rotational restraint stiffness by My). It is assumed that there are no compressive
forces acting on the restraining plate along the x-axis.
As shown in the aforementioned section, the critical Then the out-of-plane displacement function w of such
buckling loads of the RR and RF plates are expressed a restraining plate under the action of My can be written
in terms of the rotational restraint stiffness (k). To com- in the general form as
pute the local buckling loads for general cases of elasti- py py py
cally restrained plates and apply them in the discrete w ¼ C 1 sinh þ C 2 cosh þ C 3 y sinh
k k k
plate analysis to evaluate the local buckling of FRP py
thin-walled structures, the rotational restraint stiffness þ C 4 y cosh ð38Þ
k
must be determined.
where C1 to C4 are the unknown constants and can be
As shown in Fig. 1, the local buckling of different
determined by the boundary conditions. When the four
FRP structural shapes (box-, I-, C-, T-, Z-, and L-sec-
edges of the plate are simply-supported, the function
tions) can be simplified into two general cases of
becomes
orthotropic plates subjected to uniform in-plane axial (
load along the simply-supported edges. One is rotation- ck y pðy  cÞ  y py
w¼   cosh þ 1  cosh
ally restrained at two unloaded edges (the RR plate, 
2pD22 sinh k py
c k c k
see Plate I in Fig. 1(a) or Fig. 2(c)), and the other is py  )
pðycÞ
rotationally restrained-free (the RF plate, see Plate II sinh k þ sinh k
   My ð39Þ
in Fig. 1(b) or Fig. 2(f)). The critical buckling stress sinh pyk
resultants Ncr for the above two types of plates are ex-
pressed in terms of the rotational restraint stiffness (k) Using u ¼ ðow Þ , the angle of rotation u can be ex-
oy y¼c
(see Eqs. (31) and (26) for the RR and RF plates, respec- pressed as the function of My as
( )
tively). Based on the derivations for the isotropic case k pc pc
k 
[16], the explicit expressions of the rotational restraint u¼ tanh 1þ My
2pD22 2k sinh pck
stiffness (k) for discrete orthotropic plates of different
k c
composite structural shapes are correspondingly
¼   q1 My ð40Þ
developed. D22 k

My
My

x
y

My

My
=a/n =a/n =a/n

Fig. 3. Illustration of deformation of the restraining plate in a box-section.

476 P. Qiao, L. Shan / Composite Structures 70 (2005) 468–483

c pc
where q1 ¼ 1
tanh pc , and D22 is the
1 þ sinh k restrained
ðN x Þcr
k 2p 2k ðpck Þ r ¼1 ð45Þ
restraining
transverse bending stiffness of the restraining plate. ðN x Þcr
As approximated for the isotropic plates [16], the The web and flange in Eq. (45) can be treated as individ-
length k of the half wave lies between 0.668b for the ual plates with four edges simply-supported and sub-
clamped edges and b for the simply-supported edges jected to a uniform axial force at two opposite edges,
where b is the width of the restrained plate. For simpli- and the explicit solution for the critical local buckling
fication, we assume that k = b is independent of the de- load is already given in Eq. (27) (the SS plate). Eq.
gree of fixity at the edges of the web plate. The error in restraining restrained
(45) is only applicable when ðN x Þcr P ðN x Þcr ,
this assumption is small and lies on the safe side [16]. which already implies that the restrained (e.g., the web
Then we can approximate kc ¼ bc, and Eq. (40) is thus sim- in this case) plate buckles first. Hence, the factor for
plified as the box-section with the web buckling first is modified as
b c pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
u ¼   q1 My ð41Þ b2f Dw11 Dw22 þ Dw12 þ 2Dw66
D22 b r ¼ 1  2 qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi ð46Þ
bw Df Df þ Df þ 2Df
11 22 12 66
In a box-section (Fig. 4), if the web buckles first, the
flange restrains the web and the restraining plate refers where the superscripts f and w represent the properties
to the flange of the box-section (see Fig. 4(b)). Then related to the flange and web plates, respectively.
Eq. (41) becomes By multiplying the factor r, Eq. (44) is expressed as

 0 1
bw bf pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
u ¼  f q1 My ð42Þ f
D22 B b 2 w w w w
D11 D22 þ D12 þ 2D66 C
D22 bw k¼   @1  2f qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi A ð47Þ
bw q1 bwbf bw Df Df þ Df þ 2Df
where Df22 is the transverse bending stiffness of the flange
11 22 12 66

plate, bf is denoted as the width of the flange, and bw the where Dij (i, j = 1, 2, 6) are the bending stiffness of lami-
height of the web. nated composite plates [14]. Eq. (47) is the rotational
Because the rotational restraint stiffness k at the web– restraint stiffness for a restrained discrete web plate in
flange connection is a factor or proportionality of the the box-section and can be used in Eq. (31) to predict
bending moment My and the distortion angle u, the local buckling of box shapes.
M y ¼ ku ð43Þ If the flange buckles first, the restraining plate thus
refers to the web of the box-section (see Fig. 4(a)), and
then combining Eqs. (42) and (43) gives
the rotational restraint stiffness k thus becomes
Df
22 0 qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi 1
k¼   ð44Þ f f f f
bw q1 bbwf
w
D22 @ bw D11 D22 þ D12 þ 2D66 A
2
k¼   1  2 pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi ð48Þ
bf q1 bw bf Dw11 Dw22 þ Dw12 þ 2Dw66
bf
So far the effect of the longitudinal compressive stress
resultant (Nx) on the restraining plate has been ne- Again, Eq. (48) represents the rotational restraint stiff-
glected. It is necessary to include this effect, which can ness for a restrained discrete flange element in the box-
be done approximately by multiplying Eq. (39) by a section and can be substituted into Eq. (31) to evaluate
reduction factor [5,16] the local buckling strength of box-sections.

b=b f
b=bf

c=b w c=b w c=b w c=b w c=b w

b=bf b=b f b=b f b=b f

b=b f
(a) c=b f
c=bf

b=b w b=b w b=b w b=b w b=b w

c=bf c=b f c=b f c=b f

c=bf
(b)

Fig. 4. Geometry of different FRP shapes: (a) flange buckles first and (b) web buckles first.
 P. Qiao, L. Shan / Composite Structures 70 (2005) 468–483 477

5.2. I-sections where bf refers to the length of flange, and bw the height
of the web as specified in Fig. 4(b). If the web buckles
If the flange buckles first in an I-beam section, the first, the rotational restraint stiffness k is the same as
web will be considered as the restraining plate (see in Eq. (52).
Fig. 4(a)). The rotational restraint stiffness k is obtained
in a similar way as in the box-section. However, the half 5.4. T-sections
wavelength of the buckled flange now lies between 1.68bf
and the full length a of the plate [16]. A conservative but The web of T-section is a plate elastically restrained
simple result can be obtained by assuming the wave- against rotation along one edge (at the web–flange con-
length k = 1. There is also some difference in the reduc- nection) and free on the other one. If the web height
tion factor r because the flange is considered as (b = bw) is larger than the width of flange panel
rotationally restrained and free (RF) at unloaded edges. (c = bf), the web will buckle first (see Fig. 4(b)), and
The formula for the buckling stress resultant of the plate the critical buckling stress resultant (Ncr) reaches the
with simply-supported and free unloaded edges (the SF largest value when the width of the flange (see in Fig.
plate, Fig. 2(e)) is given in Eq. (34). Then the rotational 4) is a half of the height of the web. When the width
restraint stiffness k for the restrained flange of I-section of flange panel is close to zero or equal to the height
becomes of web panel, the local buckling of the web is similar
! to the buckling of a plate with free–free or SF unloaded
Dw
22 6b2w Df66 edges, respectively.
k¼ 1  2 2 pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi ð49Þ
bw p bf Dw11 Dw22 þ Dw12 þ 2Dw66 Because the panels of T-section are all rotationally re-
strained at one edge and free at the other, the distribu-
If the web buckles first, the flange will be considered
tion of rotational restraint stiffness is approximately
as the restraining plate (see Fig. 4(b)). Using Eq. (38)
proportional to the moment of the connection joint
and with the same procedure as the box-section, the
when the width of flange panel is a half of the height
angle of rotation of the restraining flange is
of web panel (bf = bw/2 for T-section in Fig. 4). When
2
   2 the width of flange panel increases or decreases from
k 1 3cosh pck þ pck þ 1
u ¼  f     My the half of the height of web panel, this approximately
2D22 2p pck þ 3 sinh pck cosh pck proportional relation changes since the restraining effect
k c
becomes weaker. Using the regression technique, the
¼  f q2 My ð50Þ
D22 k rotational restraint stiffness k can be given as
 bw 2
b 
where Df 12 f 4:52
k ¼ 22 e ð54Þ
   2 1:9bw
c 2
1 3cosh pck þ pck þ 1
q2 ¼    : It can be obviously observed from Fig. 5 that the critical
k 4p pck þ 3 sinh pck cosh pck buckling stress resultant (Ncr) of the RF plate (Eq. (26))
Assuming k = bw as before, then Eq. (50) becomes, based on the rotational restraint stiffness k in Eq. (54) is

 conservative when compared with the predictions from
bw bf the finite element (FE) eigenvalue analysis of T-sections
u ¼  f q2 My ð51Þ
D22 bw
1400
and the rotational restraint stiffness k for the restrained
FE Results
web of I-section including the reduction factor can be Present - Eq.(26)
Critical buckling load Ncr (N/cm)

obtained as
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi ! 1200
Df
22 p2 b2f Dw11 Dw22 þ Dw12 þ 2Dw66
k¼   1 2 ð52Þ
bw q2 bbwf 6bw Df66
1000

5.3. C- and Z-sections

800

If the flange of C- or Z-section buckles first, similar to

the flange of I-section (see Fig. 4(a)), the rotational re-
600
straint stiffness k can be obtained as 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
! Width of the flange panel of T-section (cm)
2Dw
22 6b2w Df66
k¼ 1  2 2 pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi ð53Þ
bw p bf Dw11 Dw22 þ Dw12 þ 2Dw66 Fig. 5. Comparison of the RF plate solution with FE results for
T-section.
 478
Table 1
Rotational restraint stiffness (k) and critical local buckling stress resultant (Ncr) of different FRP shapes
FRP section Buckled platea Critical local buckling stress resultant Ncr Rotational restraint stiffness k
 qffiffiffiqffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi b
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi f c
Box-section Flange Dw 2 f f f
11 D22ffiþD12 þ2D66
N cr ¼ 24 1:871 s2
D f
D
11 22
f
þ s3
ðD f
12 þ 2D f
66 Þ k¼ 22  1  bw2 pD
ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
b2 f
s1 s1 bw
w w w bfw
D11 D22 þD12 þ2D66
bf q1 bf

pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi w c
 b Df 2 w w w
11 D22 þD12 þ2D66
Web qffiffiffipffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
s3 k¼ 22  b  1  b2f pD
ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi f
N cr ¼ 24
b2w
1:871 ss21 Dw w w w
11 D22 þ s1 ðD12 þ 2D66 Þ bw q1 bw
f b f f
w
f
D11 D22 þD12 þ2D66

 


4 Dw 6b2 Df
I-section Flange N cr ¼ 7ðkbf þ 5Df22 ÞDf12 kbf k¼ 22
bw 1  p2 bw2 pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
w w
ffi 66 w
D11 D22 þD12 þ2Dw
b2f ð11k 2 b2f
þ 77Df22 kbf þ 140ðDf22 Þ2 Þ f 66
qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi

P. Qiao, L. Shan / Composite Structures 70 (2005) 468–483

þ 35ðkbf þ 3D22 Þð11k 2 b2f þ 77Df22 kbf þ 140ðDf22 Þ2 ÞDf11 Df22 kbf
f

þ28ð2k 2 b2f þ 10Df22 kbf þ 15ðDf22 Þ2 ÞDf66

 qffiffiffipffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi b
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi c
Web Df22
 2 2 w w w w
N cr ¼ b242 1:871 ss21 Dw D
11 22
w
þ s3
s1 ðDw
12 þ 2D w
66 Þ k¼  b  1  p b2f D11 þD22 þD f
12 þ2D66

w bw q2 f 6b D w 66
bw



4 2Dw p2 b2 Df66
C- and Z-section Flange N cr ¼ 7ðkbf þ 5Df22 ÞDf12 kbf k¼ 22
bw 1  6b2f pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
w w
ffi w
D11 D22 þD12 þ2Dw
b2f ð11k 2 b2f
þ 77Df22 kbf þ 140ðDf22 Þ2 Þ w 66
qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
þ 35ðkbf þ 3D22 Þð11k 2 b2f þ 77Df22 kbf þ 140ðDf22 Þ2 ÞDf11 Df22 kbf
f

þ28ð2k 2 b2f þ 10Df22 kbf þ 15ðDf22 Þ2 ÞDf66
 qffiffiffipffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi b 

pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
ffi w c
w w w
Df22 2 2
Web N cr ¼ b242 1:871 ss21 Dw w s3 w w
11 D22 þ s1 ðD12 þ 2D66 Þ k¼  b  1  p b2f D11 D22 þD f
12 þ2D66

w bw q2 f 6b D w 66
bw

  b 2
T-section Flange bw  f
4 12 2
N cr ¼ 2
7ðkbf þ 5Df22 ÞDf12 kbf Dw
k ¼ 1:9b
22
e
4:5

b2f ð11k 2 b2f þ 77Df22 kbf þ 140ðDf22 Þ Þ f

qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
þ 35ðkbf þ 3Df22 Þð11k 2 b2f þ 77Df22 kbf þ 140ðDf22 Þ2 ÞDf11 Df22 kbf

þ28ð2k 2 b2f þ 10Df22 kbf þ 15ðDf22 Þ2 ÞDf66

  b
2
Web bf  w
4 12 2
N cr ¼ 7ðkbw þ 5Dw w
22 ÞD12 kbw k¼
Df 4:5
1:9bw e
22
w 2
b2w ð11k 2 b2w þ 77Dw 22 kbw þ 140ðD22 Þ Þ
qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
ffi
2 2 w 2
þ 35ðkbw þ 3Dw w
22 Þð11k bw þ 77D22 kbw þ 140ðD22 Þ ÞD11 D22 kbw
w w

w 2
þ 28ð2k 2 b2w þ 10Dw kb
22 w þ 15ðD 22 Þ ÞD w
66
 P. Qiao, L. Shan / Composite Structures 70 (2005) 468–483 479

(with bw = 15.24 cm and t = 0.64 cm; use bf as a varia-

ble), and the error lies between 0.62% and 3.0%. As indi-
cated in Fig. 5, when bf = bw/2 (i.e., bf = 7.62 cm), the
maximum local buckling load is reached. Therefore,
Eq. (54) is applicable for design purpose.
If the flange of T-section buckles first (see Fig. 4(a)),
the rotational restraint stiffness k similarly becomes
 bf  2
bw 
Dw
22
12 4:5
2
k¼ e ð55Þ
1:9bf
k = 0d

k = 0d

5.5. L-sections

If both the legs in L-section have equal width, they

will buckle simultaneously. Neither of the legs will re-
j  j  , where bi or bj (i,j = f or w) is the width of flange or web, respectively.

strain the other one, and the rotational restraint stiffness

s1 ¼ 124 þ 22 Dkbi i þ ðDi iÞ2 ; s2 ¼ 24 þ 14 Dkbi i þ ðDi iÞ2 ; s3 ¼ 102 þ 18 Dkbi i þ ðDi iÞ2 , where i = f or w which refer to flange or web, respectively.

k is therefore zero, which is the case of simply-supported

and free (SF) plate. The explicit formula of critical local
buckling stress resultant is given in Eq. (34). In case of
unequal angles, a certain restraining effect on the wider
leg is exerted by the smaller one. The critical local buck-
Note: Dij (i, j = 1, 2, 6) are the bending stiffness per unit length and D22 is the transverse bending stiffness of a unit length.

ling stress resultant depends on the ratio of the width of

the two legs and the slenderness ratio b/t of the wider leg
[16]. As a conservative design, Eq. (34) which primarily
corresponds to the L-section with equal leg width can be
used. When the ratio of leg width approaches zero or
Buckled plate refers to the first buckled discrete element (either flange or web) in the FRP shapes.

infinite, a simple Euler buckling is assumed, as

p2 D11
N cr ¼ ð56Þ
a2

6. Summary for local buckling design of FRP shapes

p2 Df11

p2 Dw11
a2

a2

In the L-section, only the case of equal flange and web legs is herein given.
þ

k 2 b2
22

Based on all the case studies presented for the discrete

12Df66

66
ðbw Þ2
12Dw
ðbf Þ2

plate analysis (Section 4) and related restraining effect of

þ1
N cr ¼

N cr ¼

pbi
22

bj

web–flange connection, the explicit formulas for local

   2

cosh
3cosh b þ b
pbi

buckling stress resultants (Ncr) and rotational restraint

pbi

stiffness (k) are summarized in Table 1, and they can

bj
pbi

þ3 sinh

be used to predict the local buckling of several common

2

FRP profiles as shown in Fig. 4.

pbi
bj
 , q2 bbi ¼ 4p
k 2 b2

1
22

 
j
22

7. Numerical verifications
Flange

9
=
pbi ;
Web

To validate the accuracy of the aforementioned expli-

bj

cit formulas for the RR and RF plates and their appli-


i
bj
pb

sinh

cations to FRP shapes, the exact transcendental

1þ
k 2 b2

solutions [5] and the numerical finite element eigenvalue

22
8
<
j :

analyses are used to predict the critical buckling stress

pbi
tanh 2b
22

resultants for the plates and FRP shapes, respectively.

q1 bbji ¼ 2p
1

7.1. Verification of RR and RF plates

 
L-section

The explicit equations (31) and (26) can be applied

b

d
a

for the local buckling predictions of the RR and RF

480 P. Qiao, L. Shan / Composite Structures 70 (2005) 468–483

Table 2
Comparisons of critical stress resultants for RR and RF plates
k (N cm/cm) RR plate RF plate
Present Exact
(Ncr) (N/cm) (Ncr) (N/cm) Percent difference (%) (Ncr)Present (N/cm) (Ncr)Exact (N/cm) Percent difference (%)
1000 7858.84 7857.25 0.02 1068.13 1077.7 0.89
2000 8165.14 8144.01 0.26 1248.04 1257.09 0.72
5000 8892.74 8895.76 0.034 1548.7 1548.48 0.014
10,000 9727.21 9726.00 0.013 1796.44 1782.74 0.77
15,000 10,302.7 10,304.18 0.014 1931.94 1911.17 1.09

plates, respectively. Since a numerical approach of the confidence in design practice. The numerical results
Ritz formulation is used to derive the explicit formulas based on the exact transcendental solutions for local
for the RR and RF plates and the approximate displace- buckling of orthotropic plates [5] are used to compare
ment shape functions (see Eqs. (10) and (13)) are em- with the predictions by Eqs. (31) and (26). The geometry
ployed to model the buckled shapes of the discrete of the plate is chosen as 45.72 cm (length) · 15.24 cm
plates, it is necessary to validate the accuracy of the ex- (width) · 0.64 cm (thickness). The material properties
plicit equations (i.e., Eqs. (31) and (26)) for the RR and of both the RR and RF plates are given as follows:
RF plates, respectively) so that they can be used with D11 = 7.5112 · 104 N cm, D12 = 1.4138 · 104 N cm,
D22 = 3.5533 · 10 N cm, and D66 = 1.1234 · 104 N cm.
4

As shown in Table 2, the perditions of the present RR

and RF plate formulas for the critical stress resultants
14000 are in excellent agreements with the numerical exact
Local buckling stress resultant, Ncr (N/cm)

transcendental solutions with a maximum difference be-

13000
low 1.1%. The validity of the explicit equations is also
12000 shown for the whole range of the rotational restraint
stiffness coefficient (k) from the simply-supported
11000
(k = 0) to the clamped condition (k = 1) (Figs. 6 and
10000 7). As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the critical stress result-
ants approach asymptotically to the constants (i.e., the
9000 CC and CF conditions) for both the RR and RF plates,
Present Explicit Solution
8000 Exact Transcendental Solution [5] as the rotational restraint stiffnesses increase to infinity
large. The close correlation of the explicit equations to
7000 the exact transcendental solutions [5] thus validate the
0 5 0 x103 1 0 0 x103 1 5 0 x103 2 0 0 x103
accuracy of the present solutions based on the Ritz for-
Rotational restraint stiffness, k (N-cm/cm)
mulation, and they can be used with confidence in the
Fig. 6. Critical buckling stress resultant Ncr of RR plate. discrete plate analysis of FRP shapes as shown next.

2500
Local buckling stress resultant, N cr (N/cm)

2000

1500

1000 Exact Transcendental Solution [5]

Present Explicit Solution

500
3 3 3 3 3
0 10x10 20x10 30x10 40x10 50x10

Rotational restraint stiffness, k (N-cm/cm)

Fig. 7. Critical buckling stress resultant Ncr of RF plate.

 P. Qiao, L. Shan / Composite Structures 70 (2005) 468–483
7.2. Finite element eigenvalue analyses of FRP shapes
To validate the methodology of applying the explicit
plate formulas for local buckling predictions of Box-, I-,
C-, Z-, T-, and L-sections, the numerical finite element
(FE) eigenvalue analyses are conducted. The same
material properties for both the flange and web are used
and given as follows: D11 = 7.5112 · 104 N cm, D12 =
1.4138 · 104 N cm, D22 = 3.5533 · 104 N cm and D66 =
1.1234 · 104 N cm. The eigenvalue analyses are con-
ducted using the commercial finite element program
ANSYS [17], and the shell layered element (SHELL
99) is used. The element size is 1.27 cm · 1.27 cm and
the local buckling deformation contours of Box-, I-,
C-, Z-, T-, and L-sections are shown in Fig. 8. For I-sec-
tion, the analytical and finite element results are also
compared with the available experimental data [18]
which is about 3925 N/cm in this case, and the percent
differences of the explicit design and finite element val-
ues versus the experimental data are about 4.0% and
3.8%, respectively. As shown in Table 3, excellent agree-
Fig. 8. Local buckling deformation contours of FRP thin-walled sections: (a) box-section, (b) I-section, (c) C-section, (d) Z-section, (e) T-section and
(f) L-section.
481
ments between the proposed explicit analytical design
and numerical eigenvalue analyses are achieved, with
maximum difference of 4.7%.
8. Design guideline for local buckling of FRP shapes
Based on the formulas of plate critical buckling stress
resultant (Ncr) and rotational restraint stiffness (k) pre-
sented above, the following step-by-step design proce-
dures and commentary are recommended for local
buckling analysis and resistance improvement of FRP
shapes:
Step 1: Determination of first buckled discrete plate
elements in FRP shapes. In the analysis and design of lo-
cal buckling of FRP shapes using discrete plate analysis
technique, it is important to determine which plate ele-
ment (either flange or web) will buckle first. Based on
Eq. (45), the reduction factor r can be computed and
used as an indicator for determining the first buckled
plate element so that the appropriate design equations
482 P. Qiao, L. Shan / Composite Structures 70 (2005) 468–483
Table 3
Comparisons of critical stress resultants for different FRP sections
Sections (mm) k (N cm/cm) ccr flange m = 1
Box-I (152 · 102 · 6.4) 7022 1.016
Box-II (152 · 152 · 6.4) 0 1.205
I- (152 · 152 · 6.4) 1610 3.824
C- (152 · 76 · 6.4) 3220 3.27
Z- (152 · 76 · 6.4) 3220 3.27
T- (152 · 76 · 6.4) 1227 4.075
L- (152 · 152 · 6.4) 0 –
Note: ccr = a/b, where b is the width of buckled panel.
in Table 1 can be applied to compute the critical local
buckling strength of FRP shapes. If r = 0, it indicates
that the web and flange components buckle simultane-
ously; thus, the web–flange connection can be simulated
as a simply-supported condition in the discrete plate
analysis. If r is a negative value, it refers that the as-
sumed first buckled plate element is not the restrained
element rather than a restraining one.
Step 2: Determination of critical buckling stress result-
ants of first buckled plate element. Once the first buckled
plate element is identified in Step 1, the related critical
buckling stress resultant of plate element can be calcu-
lated using the formulas provided in Table 1.
Step 3: Determination of critical buckling load of FRP
section. Using the critical stress resultant (Ncr) of first
buckled (control) plate element identified in Step 1 and
computed in Step 2, the critical local buckling load
(Pcr) of FRP sections can be obtained as
ðP cr Þaxial ¼ ðN x Þcr l
where l is the contour perimeter of FRP cross sections
(see Fig. 4).
Step 4: Local buckling resistance improvement of FRP
shapes. The explicit formulas for the critical aspect ratio
(ccr) obtained in this study (see Eqs. (23), (28), (30), (33),
(37) for various shapes) can be used to determine the
locations of stiffeners or bracings so that the local buck-
ling capacity of FRP shapes is improved.
Step 5: Placement of stiffeners or restraints. Use the
critical aspect ratio identified in Step 4 to obtain the
locations of restraints or lateral bracings so that
the local buckling resistance of FRP sections can be
improved.
9. Conclusions
In this paper, a variational formulation of the Ritz
method is used to derive the explicit equations of local
buckling for the RR and RF plates, and their applica-
tion to local buckling predictions of FRP shapes (e.g.,
box- I-, C-, Z-, T-, and L-sections) is realized by employ-
ing the discrete plate analysis and considering the
rotational restraint stiffness (k) at the flange–web con-
(Ncr)Present (N/cm) (Ncr)FEM (N/cm) Percent difference (%) (present versus FE)
8587 8501 1.01
7506 7170 4.70
4083 4073 0.25
4747 4599 3.22
4747 4585 3.53
1117 1131 1.24
897 877 2.28
nection. The accuracy of the explicit plate solutions is
validated with the numerical exact transcendental solu-
tions; while the applicability of discrete plate analysis
to the FRP profiles is verified with the available experi-
mental data and finite element eigenvalue analyses. A
guideline for explicit local buckling design is provided,
which can be used to predict the local buckling strength
and improve the buckling resistance of FRP shapes.
The explicit equations of the RR and RF plates in
terms of the rotational restraint stiffness coefficient (k)
can be applied to the local buckling analysis of various
restrained plates; while the formulas of the rotational
restraint stiffness offer a valid approach of applying
the discrete plate analysis for local buckling capacity
predictions of FRP shapes. The explicit formula-
tions developed in this study provide an effective and
accurate way to stability analysis of FRP composite
structures.
ð57Þ
Acknowledgments
The authors greatly acknowledge the contribution by
Dr. Guiping Zou to this study. Partial financial support
for this study is received from the National Science
Foundation (EHR-0090472).
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