Buckling Resistance of Tapered Steel Columns

Tapered steel members are widely used in structural and architectural engineering for their efficiency and adaptability, allowing for optimal material usage tailored to specific load levels. However, their complex stability characteristics have hindered their representation in modern design standards like EN 1993 and AISC 360. Existing buckling solutions are limited, and practical research is lacking. This paper comprehensively examines the buckling resistance calculation methodologies for members with variable cross-sections, addressing discrepancies across the methodologies, particularly regarding the tapering ratio. A parametric analysis and numerical simulations were conducted to evaluate each methodology’s applicability, emphasizing the need to balance computational simplicity and accuracy. The study primarily focused on tapered steel beams, considering the different tapering ratios and loading conditions. The findings provide valuable insights into the buckling behavior in tapered members and the practical implications for real-world structural designs. By examining the available analytical methods for calculating the buckling resistance of tapered elements, a better understanding of how to accommodate the non-uniformity of a member was gained, enabling an overview of the variance in the determined resistances and an assessment of the method’s applicability. Moreover, specific calculation methodologies were found to have shortcomings that require modifications for a more accurate parametric analysis. This research contributes to the field by bridging the gaps in modern design standards and enhancing the understanding of buckling in tapered steel members.