6.3.1.

2 Buckling curves

(1) For axial compression in members the value of for the appropriate non-dimensional slenderness
should be determined from the relevant buckling curve according to:

2
2
1
+
= but (6.49) 0 , 1
where ( ) [ ]
2
2 , 0 1 5 , 0 + + =

cr
y
N
Af
= for Class 1, 2 and 3 cross-sections

cr
y eff
N
f A
= for Class 4 cross-sections
is an imperfection factor
N
cr
is the elastic critical force for the relevant buckling mode based on the gross cross sectional
properties.

(2) The imperfection factor corresponding to the appropriate buckling curve should be obtained from
Table 6.1 and Table 6.2.

Table 6.1: Imperfection factors for buckling curves
Buckling curve a
0
a b c d
Imperfection factor 0,13 0,21 0,34 0,49 0,76

(3) Values of the reduction factor for the appropriate non-dimensional slenderness may be obtained
from Figure 6.4.

(4) For slenderness 2 , 0 or for 04 , 0
N
N
cr
Ed
the buckling effects may be ignored and only cross
sectional checks apply.

EN1993-1-1 Clause 6.3.1.2: Buckling curves

C
o
p
y
r
i
g
h
t

B
S
I
,

2
0
0
5
Table 6.2: Selection of buckling curve for a cross-section
Buckling curve
Cross section Limits
Buckling
about
axis
S 235
S 275
S 355
S 420
S 460
t
f
40 mm
y y
z z
a
b
a
0

a
0

h
/
b

>

1
,
2

40 mm < t
f
100
y y
z z
b
c
a
a
t
f
100 mm
y y
z z
b
c
a
a
R
o
l
l
e
d

s
e
c
t
i
o
n
s

b
h y y
z
z
t
f

h
/
b

1
,
2

t
f
> 100 mm
y y
z z
d
d
c
c
t
f
40 mm
y y
z z
b
c
b
c
W
e
l
d
e
d


I
-
s
e
c
t
i
o
n
s

t t
f f
y y y y
z z
t
f
> 40 mm
y y
z z
c
d
c
d
hot finished any a a
0

H
o
l
l
o
w

s
e
c
t
i
o
n
s


cold formed any c c
generally (except as
below)
any b b
W
e
l
d
e
d

b
o
x

s
e
c
t
i
o
n
s

t
t
f
b
h
y y
z
z
w

thick welds: a > 0,5t
f

b/t
f
< 30
h/t
w
<30
any c c
U
-
,

T
-

a
n
d

s
o
l
i
d

s
e
c
t
i
o
n
s


any c c
L
-
s
e
c
t
i
o
n
s


any b b

EN1993-1-1 Clause 6.3.1.2: Buckling curves

C
o
p
y
r
i
g
h
t

B
S
I
,

2
0
0
5


R
e
d
u
c
t
i
o
n

f
a
c
t
o
r

0,0
0,1
0,2
0,3
0,4
0,5
0,6
0,7
0,8
0,9
1,0
1,1
0,0 0,2 0,4 0,6 0,8 1,0 1,2 1,4 1,6 1,8 2,0 2,2 2,4 2,6 2,8 3,0
a
0
b
c
d
a

Non-dimensional slenderness

Figure 6.4: Buckling curves
EN1993-1-1 Clause 6.3.1.2: Buckling curves

C
o
p
y
r
i
g
h
t

B
S
I
,

2
0
0
5