Buckling load of a steel stud with eccentricity in codes?

[serdardundar]

I have a wall panel with light gauge thin walled studs with 0.8cm^2 effective area and KLx =1m KLy=1m KLt=1m . It is used to support the load coming from several shelves (if uniform distribution is assumed 330kgf acting on stud). The panel and the shelves above it are moved several meters; somehow during this movement some eccentricity occured in the studs (i am pretty sure about this) i don't know the amount of eccentricity. Same load is acting on the shelf. If i want to reanalyse the situation. Should i only calculate the stress P/A+P*(delta)/Wy (the eccentricity is in the weak direction of the studs, studs are C shaped by the way)? If this is done, the studs would be O.K. up to 1.2cm of top deflection. But i know that this deflection will cause the studs buckle (i think lateral torsional buckling will occur) very earlier than the load that i have calculated for the no eccentricity case (620kgf with Fy=1900kgf/cm^2). I am pretty sure that the governing mode of failure will be the lateral torsional buckling whereas i include the effect of eccentricity only in max stress calculations. So the problem is how should i include the effect of this eccentricity in my stability calculations? What will be the knew buckling load? I remember from my Special Concepts of Structural Stability course, the solution passes through virtual work principles and there are some methods in book of Galambos. But what i wonder is how do the codes approach to the problem, is there some kind of a formula or a simplified method in the codes for handling this?

 

[ishvaaag]

I think there must be something in the UBC code when treating the limit loads that corresponds to your case, of course considering yours is a thin walled C. In short, if your load case is one contemplated in the code, a compliant check made along it should ensure you have not a limit strength problem from any source.

 

[erkansamhal]

Dear SERDARDUNDAR,

I think you can learn some detailed informations and code specifications in Cornell University Civil and Enviromental Department research page. Also you can ask from Prof.Dr.Teoman PEKÖZ.

Regards,