A spatial stability theory of thin-walled steel beams pre-stressed by spatially inclined un-bonded cables and its FE formulation

A spatial stability theory of mono-symmetric thin-walled steel beams pre-stressed (PS) by spatially inclined cables is firstly derived using an energy method where it is assumed that deviators are rigid. Its FE formulation is then presented under bonded/un-bonded multi-deviator conditions. After that, validity and accuracy of the present formulation is demonstrated through numerical examples. Finally, effects of initial tension, deviator numbers, inclined cable profiles, and un-bonded/bonded conditions on lateral-torsional buckling (LTB) of the PS bi-/mono-symmetric beams are investigated under external loadings. Particularly, new findings on LTB characteristics of the PS beams are presented with a specific emphasis on the effects of increasing initial tension.

Automated summary

A spatial stability theory of mono-symmetric thin-walled steel beams pre-stressed by spatially inclined cables is derived and its validity is demonstrated through numerical examples. The effects of initial tension, deviator numbers, inclined cable profiles, and bonded/un-bonded conditions on lateral-torsional buckling of the pre-stressed beams are investigated, with a specific emphasis on the effects of increasing initial tension.