A Simplified Approach to Buckling of Plain C Channels under Pure Bending

A study of the behaviour of C channel under pure bending applied in such a way as to create compressive stress at the tip of the webs is presented. The analysis encompasses the entire loading history of the beam, from the linear elastic stage, through the buckling of the webs, to the unloading stage after the formation of a plastic hinge. The theoretical predictions were compared to the test results of a series of seven beams. Close correlation was found between theory and experiment over the entire loading range explored, especially for sections with a width-thickness ratio of less than 50.