On the load distribution of thin-walled beams subjected to bending with respect to the cross-section distortion

The paper deals with the estimation of the load distribution under which distortion of the cross-sections of thin-walled beams subjected to bending cannot occur. It is assumed that beam walls are hinged along their longitudinal edges. Beams with closed and open rectangular cross-sections, with three or two cells, with two or one axis of symmetry are considered. It is shown that the problem can be treated by two equivalent beams, defined by the shear flow zero points of the beam with rigid cross-section. The beam load must be distributed in the plane of beam walls, proportionally to the cross-section moments of inertia of the equivalent beams. Some illustrative examples are given. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.