Understanding buckling behavior and using FE in the design of steel bridges

Describes how Finite Element (FE) analysis can be used to predict buckling modes, highlighting methods which are practical for day-to-day use. It explores some criterion which might be used to identify if such behavior, including global buckling modes, should be of concern to the designer, drawing on recommendations including those in NCHRP Report 725 and Eurocodes. Use of FE analysis in the determination of member resistances is also explored.
Paper presented at the International Bridge Conference 2013 by Stephen Rhodes and Terry Cakebread of LUSAS.