The Local Buckling Strength of Partially Stiffened Type 3CR12 Stainless Steel Compression Elements in Beam Flanges

In this study the effect of the non-linear behaviour of stainless steels on the local buckling strength of partially stiffened compression elements in beam flanges is studied. The steel under investigation is Type 3CR12 stainless steel. Lipped channels were placed back to back to form a doubly symmetric lipped I-section. The different pIasticity reduction factors suggested in the ASCE3 and South African13 stainless steel design specification for stiffened and unstiffened compression elements are used to compare experimental results with theoretical predictions. It is concluded that the ASCE3 and South African13 stainless steel design specifications overestimate the local buckling stress in the beam flanges as well as the ultimate strength of partially stiffened stainless steel beams. The experimental results compare well with the theoretical predictions when the two plasticity reduction factors are used