Anayltical buckling solutions for three-member space frames subjected to torsional loading

Torsional loading of members and its destabilising effects are prevalent in mechanical and aerospace engineering applications where slender members are utilised to transfer significant torsional loadings. In structural engineering, the problem of buckling under torsion can be investigated at both member and frame level. While analytical solutions and numerical estimations are derived for members, little attention has been paid to the buckling of space frames subjected to torsional loading. The purpose of this paper is to develop exact analytical buckling solutions for symmetric three-member frames subjected to torques at the supports. Frames subjected to such torsional loads can undergo large out-of-plane displacements when the exerted torques exceed the torsional buckling capacity of the structure. The developed solutions are concise and, due to their modal structure, provide new insights into the complex buckling behaviour of structural frames, as well as equations to determine their slenderness and strength.

Learning Objectives:
Have an understanding of the factors that influence torsional buckling capacity.

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