The effect of flexural–torsional buckling on the stability of timber members: a case study

This study investigates the stability of timber members subjected to simultaneously acting axial compression and bending moment, with possible risk for torsional and flexural–torsional buckling. This situation can occur in laterally supported members where one side of the member is braced but the other side is unbraced. In this case, the free side will buckle out of plane while the braced side will be prevented from torsional and flexural–torsional buckling. This problem can be evident for long members in timber-frame structures, which are subjected to high axial compression combined with bending moments in which the member is not sufficiently braced at both sides. This study is based on the design requirement stated in Eurocode 5. Solution methods discussed in this paper can be of interest within the framework of structural and building Engineering practices and education in which the stability of structural elements is investigated. Article Highlights This case study investigates some design situations where the timber member is not sufficiently braced. In this case, a stability problem associated with combined torsional buckling and flexural buckling can arise. The study shows that the torsional and/or flexural–torsional buckling of timber members can be important to control in order to fulfil the criteria of the stability of the member according to Eurocode 5 and help the structural engineer to achieve safer designs. The study investigates also a simplified solution to check the effect of flexural torsional buckling of laterally braced timber members.