The classic thin-walled beam theory for open and closed cross-sections is generalized to include one distortional mode of deformation. Distortional cross-section parameters are introduced and the new orthogonality conditions for uncoupling of the axial displacement modes are given. A normalization technique for the distortional modes leads to unique distortional cross-section properties. The theoretical formulations for torsion and distortion are nearly similar and result in nearly identical equilibrium equations. However, for closed single- or multicell cross;sections the torsional and distortional shear flows may couple. A study of the order of magnitude of the governing torsional and distortional parameters shows the difference between open and closed cross-sections and the related solution types. The difference in the order of magnitude of the governing cross-section parameters also leads to approximate solution techniques. In the examples, section three cross-sections are used to illustrate variations of the theoretical parameters. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
