STESSA 2006 – Mazzolani & Wada (eds)

© 2006 Taylor & Francis Group, London, ISBN 0-415-40824-5

Post-buckling behavior of thin web plate under cyclic shear loading

T. Tomizawa, M. Shimizu & K. Ikarashi

Department of Architecture and Building Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan

ABSTRACT: In this paper, hysteresis characteristics of thin web plates are investigated. The parameters of
investigation are depth-thickness ratio and aspect ratio of web. The influence of flanges is also taken into
consideration. First, the anti-symmetric bending shear cyclic loading experiments are carried out by H-section
specimens, whose web aspect ratio is 1 or 2. Their depth-thickness ratios are based on the elastic buckling critical
depth-thickness ratio; the smaller one, the almost equal one and the larger one. And each hysteresis characteristics
are confirmed from the obtained load-deformation curve. Next, the same load-deformation curve as experiments
is obtained by the FEM numerical analysis in various assumptions of depth-thickness ratio and material, and
the hysteresis characteristics are confirmed. At this time, the part when the shelf appears in load-deformation
curve is paid attention, and the method to understand this strength is proposed. Finally, the factor of the shelf
hysteresis characteristics is considered.

1 INTRODUCTION a
(+) γ (-)

The large deformation behavior of thin web plates +Q

with larger depth-thickness ratio than their elastic crit- H - 400 x 200 x 14 x 25 +Q H - 400 x 200 x14 x25
icality is extremely steady under applied loading into (-)
specimen
(+)

one direction. For instance, it can be anticipated that

thin web plates maintain constant strength after yield.
However, it is hard to declare that their hysteresis char-
acteristics under cyclic loading have been understood
at length. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the hys-
teresis characteristics to use thin web plates at large
deformation within the reach of buckling. In this study,
the cyclic loading experiments are carried out by thin
web plates, and the basic hysteresis characteristics are
investigated. Moreover, the factors that cause the hys-
teresis characteristics to show the shape like a shelf in
the load-deformation angle curve are investigated by
the FEM numerical analysis, and model them simply
in the end as follows.
2 THE CYCLIC BEHAVIOR OF THIN WEB
PLATES WHOSE ASPECT RATIO IS 1
2.1 Outline of experiments
Figure 1 shows the loading model. In this experiment,
the anti-symmetric bending shear stress is applied on
the H-shaped specimen with two beams for adding
force at both ends. Handle the shearing deformation
angle γ within ±1/100, 1/50, and 1/25 circularly until
the circumscription of the device.
Figure 1. Loading model.
Table 1 shows the list of specimens, and Table 2
exhibits the mechanical characteristics of the steel
material. Aspect ratio of the specimens is 1 or 2, and
each of the section shape No.1, No.3, and No.5 corre-
sponds to No.6, No.7, and No.8. The steel material is
used SS400 here.
2.2 Influence of depth-thickness ratio of web
Figure 2 indicates the load-deformation curves of
No.1, No.3, and No.5. These are different in depth-
thickness ratio of web panel, but almost equal in
sectional area ratio of web and flange. The load-
deformation curve obtained from the FEM numerical
analysis is also in the figure, and the perpendicular
axis means the dimensionless value divided by wQp
(shearing yield strength of thin web plate). From figure
of No.1, the hysteresis characteristics show a spindle
shape up to γ = 0.02 in the specimen No.1 which has
smaller depth-thickness ratio than its elastic critical-
ity. However, form the other figure of the relationship
between load and deformation, and it can be discov-
ered a shelf is shaped into along with the deformation
enlarging. On the other hand, the buckling occurs early

271
Table 1. List of specimens.

a wQp Qcr Qmax

Specimen Section (mm) d/tw Af/Aw (kN) (kN) (kN)

No.1 H-400 × 150 × 6 × 9 400 63.1 0.57 393.4 1589.2 1364.8

No.2 H-400 × 50 × 3 × 9 400 121.6 0.38 196.1 208.6 205.0
No.3 H-400 × 80 × 3 × 9 400 123.0 0.59 198.4 208.0 205.1
No.4 H-400 × 200 × 3 × 12 400 123.1 2.00 198.6 210.0 206.5
No.5 H-400 × 50 × 2.2 × 9 400 172.0 0.52 134.1 78.4 97.7
No.6 H-400 × 150 × 6 × 9 800 63.2 0.57 397.6 1101.8 839.5
No.7 H-400 × 80 × 3 × 9 800 123.4 0.60 200.0 147.8 167.2
No.8 H-400 × 50 × 2.2 × 9 800 171.7 0.53 124.5 54.7 80.6

a: length; d: depth of web; tw: thickness of web; Aw: sectional area of web; Af: sectional area of flange; wQp: shearing yield
strength; Qcr: shear buckling strength (surrounding-fixed); Qmax: maximum strength(Ref.[1])

Table 2. The mechanical characteristics of the steel material.

t(mm) σy(N/mm2 ) σu(N/mm2 ) E(kN/mm2 ) εu(%) Elng(%) Y.R

Tensile Young’s Uniform Fracture Yield
Test-piece Thickness Yield stress strength modulus elongation elongation ratio

SS400 2.2 (web) 274.4 438.1 208.3 22.0 31.7 0.60

3 (web) 292.0 438.1 204.1 21.7 29.9 0.63
6 (web) 296.0 432.2 209.6 19.8 25.8 0.68
9 (flange) 295.0 459.6 208.5 21.7 28.3 0.67
12 (flange) 266.6 443.0 205.6 21.2 30.8 0.63

Q/wQp

Experiment Experiment Experiment

1.0 Analysis Analysis Analysis
Qs
0.5
Qs Qs

0.0

-0.5

d/tw = 63.1 d/tw = 123.0 d/tw = 172.0

-1.0
No.1 H- 400 x 150 x 6 x 9 No.3 H- 400 x 80 x 3 x 9 No.5 H- 400 x 50 x 2.2 x 9

-0.04 -0.02 0.00 0.02 0.04 γ [rad] -0.04 -0.02 0.00 0.02 0.04 γ [rad] -0.04 -0.02 0.00 0.02 0.04 γ [rad]

Figure 2. Load-deformation curve (asp = 1).

on specimens No.3 with almost equal depth-thickness
ratio to its elastic criticality and No.5 which has larger
depth-thickness ratio than its elastic criticality, and
the rigidity dwindle down to 0 under a certain load
when the oscillation increases. Then, the deforma-
tion goes on with constant strength until the tension
field is formed, and the strength rises to the experi-
enced deformation peak of the previous loop almost
in a line after tension field is formed. After buck-
ling, this strength Qs when the shelf arises in the
load-deformation curve keeps almost constantly with-
out changing by the hysteresis cycle. Therefore, it is
proved that Qs is influenced by neither loading hys-
teresis nor the differences of positive and negative, and
depends on its initial section shape. Moreover, it can
be thought that the reduction is not vast and the defor-
mation advances with the strength constant though
the strength diminishes in some measure when the
shelf happens in the load-deformation curve. There-
fore, it can be considered that the strength Qs when
the shelf appears is an important element to compre-
hend the hysteresis characteristics of thin web plates
under cyclic shear loading.
It is thought that the hysteresis characteristics of
thin web plates with larger depth-thickness ratio than
their elastic criticality under cyclic shearing loads can
be modeled by Qs and the maximum strength Qmax. In
this study, the minimum value of the strength when the

272
 Q/wQp wQs /wQp
critical
depth-thickness ratio d/tw = 123.6 formula(1) wQp
d/tw = 123.0 1.0
1.0 σ
shearing yield strength Q = τ .A ..... (1) τy = y
w p y w 3
2
kτEπ tw 2
2 冢 冣
Qs elastic shear buckling strength Qcr= Aw ..... (2)
0.5 0.8 12(1-ν ) b
b2
Qs surrounding – fixed kτ = 8.98+5.60 冢 冣
a
1)
maximum strength Qmax= Qcr+QT (3) .....
0.0 0.6
σTAw σT τ
QT = =1- τcr
2 σy
冢冣
2 1+ a y

b
-0.5 0. 4

-1.0 depth = 400 formula(3) Qmax/2

No.3 H- 400 x 80 x 3 x 9 0. 2
No.4 H- 400 x 200 x 3 x 12 wQs(Analysis)
-0.04 -0.02 0.00 0.02 0.04 γ [rad] wQs(Experiment) formula(2) Qcr

0 100 200 300 400 d/tw

Figure 3. Influence of flange shape on Qs.
Mpf wQs = Qs − Qf
2Mpf
Mpf Qf = .2
L ness of web is varied and depth of web is appointed
Q Q Q b t2
Mpf = f f σy
4
M : full plastic moment
Mpf pf
Mpf of flange
Figure 4. Collapse mechanism of flange.
shelf appears is defined as Qs, and the influence that
depth-thickness ratio of web has on Qs is considered.
2.3 Influence of shape of flange
By the way, in the past research Reference [2], it
has been demonstrated that the rigidity of flange has
effects on Qs. In this study, it is thought that the influ-
ence of the strength, not only borne by web but also
by flange is included. Figure 3 shows the relationship
between load and deformation divided by the differ-
ence of flange shape. From the graph, it is aware that
the strength Qs when the shelf appears becomes larger
and larger with sectional area of flanges increasing.
Figure 4 indicates the collapse mechanism of
flange. In order to consider the strength of flanges,
it thinks about Qf (the strength of flanges) which is
calculated from full plasticity moment Mpf at both
ends of the flange, and the one that Qf was subtracted
from Qs is defined as wQs (the strength of only web
panel) in this study.
2.4 Influence of depth-thickness ratio of web on
post-buckling behavior of thin web plates
Figure 5 is the graph where wQs of each depth-
thickness ratio obtained from the numerical analysis by
Figure 5. Influence of web depth-thickness ratio (asp = 1).
FEM are plotted with experimental value when thick-
400 mm. For comparing, the curves obtained from for-
mulas of shearing yield strength (1), elastic buckling
strength on surrounding-fixed condition (2), the max-
imum strength evaluation (3) are bound together in the
graph.
Corresponding to Figure 2 and Figure 5, the influ-
ence that the depth-thickness ratio of web has on wQs
can be separated into three ranges according to the
depth-thickness ratio of web. In this analysis, when the
depth-thickness ratio of web is smaller than its elastic
criticality (less than d/tw = 100), the hysteresis char-
acteristics also show a spindle type at first, then turn a
shape like shelf with the deformation increasing after
buckling. It was confirmed that the value of wQs at that
time diminished every time gradual increase loading
was repeated. It can be confirmed the behavior is espe-
cially easy to trace during d/tw = 100 ∼ 200 (mainly
handled in this experiment) that the depth-thickness
ratio of web is almost equal to its elastic criticality
and it is able to verify that the wQs can be evaluated
by the maximum strength Qmax/2. In the range where
depth-thickness ratio is over d/tw = 200, the wQs will
continue to decrease further, and the value of wQs can
be perceived from elastic buckling strength curves.
Moreover, in the past research Reference [2], though
it is made out the maximum strength of thin square
web can be evaluated by Qmax in the range where
depth-thickness ratio is larger than its elastic critical-
ity, it cannot be understood in the range where smaller.
In this study, in the range where depth-thickness ratio
is smaller than its elastic criticality, the shelf appears
in the load that is lower than Qmax/2 and the value
becomes smaller every time gradual increase loading
is repeated. Therefore, wQs cannot be evaluated by
only the maximum strength Qmax, the influence from
the other factors should be considered.

273
 Q/wQp
Experiment Experiment Experiment
1.0 Analysis Analysis Analysis

0.5

-0.5

d/tw =63.2 d/tw =123.4 d/tw = 171.7

-1.0
No.6 H-400x150x6x9 No.7 H- 400 x 80 x 3 x 9 No.8 H- 400 x 50x2.2 x 9
-0.04 -0.02 0 0.02 0.04 γ [rad] -0.04 -0.02 0.00 0.02 0.04 γ [rad] -0.04 -0.02 0.00 0.02 0.04 γ [rad]

Figure 6. Load-deformation curve (asp = 2).

Q/ wQp wQs/wQp
Max.
Max.
No.1 Skeleton curve
1.0 1.0
Analysis Qcr = 1 ... (4)
No.6 λ2
0.8 Analysis
No.1 : a/d=1, H-400x150x6x9, λ=0.528 0.8 3冢 1 + 1 冣
Skeleton curve
Qmax1) = λ + 1 ... (5)
No.6 : a/d=2, H-400x150x6x9, λ=0.601
0.6 λ2
2 1+ ( a d )
2
definition: λ = (d/tw)/(d/tw)0

0.4 (d/tw)0 : critical depth-thickness ratio (τcr = τy) 0.6

2
(d/tw)0 = kτE π 5.60
0.2 kτ = 8.98 + (surrounding-fixed)
2
12(1-ν )τy
2
(a/d) formula(5) Qmax
0.4
0
formula(4) Qcr
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 γ [rad] Qmax/2
Analysis
0.2
Experiment
Figure 7. Skeleton curve. maximum value
Qmax/3
minimum value
0
0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 λ

3 THE CYCLIC BEHAVIOR OF THIN WEB

PLATES WHOSE ASPECT RATIO IS 2 Figure 8. Influence of web depth-thickness ratio (asp = 2).

3.1 Influence of aspect ratio of web aspect ratio 1, and the shelf hysteresis characteristics
come to be indicated.
Figure 6 shows the load-deformation curve of the
experiment results of aspect ratio 2. Figure 7 shows
3.2 Influence of depth-thickness ratio on wQs
the skeleton curves of No.1 and No.6 which have
the same sectional shape. The skeleton curve is dif- Figure 8 is the graph by plotting the first maximum
ferent, though the sectional shapes are equal. As for value, the first minimum value, and the middle value
the strength after the maximum strength, the specimen in the final loop in order to try the evaluation as same
whose aspect ratio is 2 is smaller than the one whose as Figure 5. The influence of the strength borne by
aspect ratio is 1. For No.7 and No.8, a similar tendency flange is subtracted from the strength obtained just
can be confirmed by No.3 and No.5, though they are like Figure 4, and the strength only of web panel is
not published in figure. Moreover, it can be seen from shown. Moreover, the horizontal axis in the figure is
Figure 6 that the hysteresis characteristics of No.6 with shown by using the depth-thickness ratio divided by
smaller depth-thickness ratio than its elastic criticality the elastic critical depth-thickness ratio and buckling
shows a spindle shape as well as No.1 in Figure 2 until strength Qcr/wQs which is independent on aspect ratio
the deformation advances to some degree. However, it and yield stress (formula 4). As a result, it can be con-
begins causing the strength to decrease in large defor- firmed that the distribution of the middle value shows
mation. At this time, two minimum values in the loop a similar tendency to whose aspect ratio is 1. It can be
might be found in the case of aspect ratio 2, though confirmed that the value of wQs whose aspect ratio is
the deformation advances with constant strength Qs 2 is smaller than that of Qmax/2, though it is be able
in each case of aspect ratio 1. About No.7 and No.8 to understand the value of wQs by Qmax/2 and Qcr of
whose depth-thickness ratio of web is comparatively the thin web plates which have larger depth-thickness
large, the strength Qs unremarkably decreases in the ratio than their elastic criticality when the aspect ratio
range of the shelf along with the deformation advanc- is 1. The plot of the middle value is almost included
ing. Afterwards, the constant strength is kept as well as between Qmax/2 and Qmax/3 if using Qmax/3 here.

274
wQs/wQp flange
σ (N/mm2)
1.0
600

400
0.8
σy=4.8 fixed fixed
200
σy=2.8 I
0.6 σy=2.8 II
0
0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 ε(%)
compress tension flange
0.4
(a) hysteresis curve (b) a/d = 1
Qmax/2 flange
σy=4.8
0.2 σy=2.8 I
σy=2.8 II Qcr
points of Fig.5
0
0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 λ
fixed
fixed
Figure 9. Influence of material characteristics (asp = 1).

4 CONSIDERATION ABOUT THE STRENGTH compress tension flange

IN THE SHELF RANGE (c) a/d = 2

4.1 Influence of material characteristics Figure 10. The principal stress distribution in the shelf
range.
Figure 9 is the graph where wQs is plotted from the
relationship of the load-deformation, and the relation-
ship obtained from the analysis that assumes different
materials about the model whose aspect ratio is 1. For
the material data, the relationship between stress and P1cr 5d P2cr
P2
2d

P1
strain is shown in Figure 9. σy = 2.8 II is the model
d
of the stress-strain relationship obtained from tensile
test for SS400 steel material. Additionally, the mod-
els which are different in the point of yield stress
(σy = 4.8) and strain hardening region (σy = 2.8 II) are a/d = 1 a/d = 2
also used here. The distribution of the plot corresponds P1cr, P2cr : elastic buckling strength
to the tendency of Figure 5. Therefore, it is specu- P1, P2 : shearing force

lated that the strength when the shelf appears doesn’t

( 5d) ( 2 d) =
2 2
5
depend on the yield stress and the strain hardening P1cr =
P2cr 2
characteristics of material greatly. 5
P1 = 2P1cr P1 3
⇒ ;
P2 2 2
4.2 Factors that cause hysteresis characteristics to P2 = 5P2cr
show the shape like a shelf
Figure 11. Concept chart of wQs.
In order to clarify the factor of the shelf hysteresis
characteristics, the principal stress distribution in the
range shown by the heavy line of the hysteresis curve in and 2 in the state shown in Figure 10. The part of net
Figure 10(a) is investigated by the numerical analysis. hung in the figure is the range where compress stress
In both aspect ratio 1 (Figure 10(b)) and aspect ratio 2 mainly occurs. About the mechanism like the truss,
(Figure 10(c)), it is confirmed that the principal com- it is considered as the diagonal members that exist
press stress appears greatly while the principal tensile in the diagonal, and assumes the compress stress act
stress does not in the zonal area along the diagonal. on the diagonal members by the anti-symmetric bend-
Moreover, the principal tensile stress appears to paral- ing shear stress and result in buckling. Divided by the
lel the flange nearby, but the principal compress stress difference of length, the buckling strength ratio of the
does not. That is to say, in this range, it is thought that diagonal members (P1cr : P2cr) is 5 : 2 by the formula
pure-shear stress does not act on the thin web plates of Euler if each sectional shape and boundary condi-
and the mechanism like the truss is formed as a whole. tion are equal. The ratio P1 : P2 approximate to 3 : 2
From the above-mentioned, model them simply, and if the sine of the buckling strength is converted to the
investigate the deciding factor of wQs. Figure 11 is anti-symmetric bending shear stress. This appropri-
the model of thin web plates whose aspect ratio is 1 ately explains that the wQs of aspect ratio 2 in Figure 8

275
is smaller than that of aspect ratio 1 and is understood
when 2/3 is taken for wQs of aspect ratio 1.
About the results of Figure 8 and Figure 9, it can
be appropriately explained by thinking that wQs is
decided by another buckling phenomenon different
from buckling by a uniform shearing stress on the
plate.
5 CONCLUSIONS
The cyclic loading experiments are carried out by thin
web plates whose aspect ratio is 1 or 2, and their hys-
teresis characteristics are confirmed. As it turns out
that the strength Qs when the shelf is shaped into until
tension field is formed after shear buckling and the
maximum strength Qmax of web can be used to predict
the cyclic behavior of thin web plates with larger depth-
thickness ratio than their elastic criticality. Moreover,
276
it can be comprehended the strength wQs (only of web
panel) that Qf was subtracted from Qs can be under-
stood by Qmax and elastic buckling strength Qcr.
Furthermore, it is shown by a simple model that the
shelf hysteresis characteristics of thin web plates after
shear buckling and at that time strength is decided
by another buckling phenomenon not the buckling
occurred by the uniform shearing stress.
REFERENCES
[1] Architectural Institute of Japan, 1996. Recommen-
dations for Stability Design of Steel Structures.
[2] Ikarashi, K. & Suzuki, T. & Shimizu, M. 2004.
A study on behavior after shear buckling of thin
square web. Summaries of Technical Papers of
Annual Meeting; Architectural Institute of Japan,
C-1, pp793–796, August 2004.