Elasto-plastig behavior of compression members laterally-braced at an intermediate point and bracing requirements

Elasto-plastic analysis was carried out for the behavior of compression members which had initial deflection and load eccentricity, and were braced at an arbitrary intermediate point other than the center. The paper first discusses the results of a parametric study on the effects of bracing stiffness and location on the maximum strength of the member and the bracing force. The numerical analysis was performed by the finite difference method together with the moment-curvature relation prepared beforehand. This method of analysis however fails to solve the post buckling behavior in some cases, and the paper reveals the reason and indicates the limit of application of the 'finite element method to the present problem, and then introduces the numerical results of the post buckling behavior obtained by the finite element method using iso-parametric elements with 8-nodes. Finally, the paper shows the design recommendations for the laterally-braced compression members