Lateral-torsional buckling of vertically layered composite beams with interlayer slip under uniform moment

The lateral-torsional stability of vertically layered composite beams with interlayer slip is investigated in this paper, based on a variational approach. Vertically layered elements are typically used in timber engineering but also in case of laminated glass elements. Both across-longitudinal or vertical slip due to rotation and longitudinal or horizontal slip due to lateral deflection are discussed. The theoretical framework of the lateral-torsional buckling problem is given, and some engineering closed-form solutions are presented for partially composite beams under uniform bending moment. Simplified kinematical relationships neglecting the axial and vertical displacements of the sub-elements give unrealistic values for the lateral-torsional buckling moment. Refined kinematical assumptions remove this peculiarity and render sound buckling moment results. Inclusion of the horizontal and vertical slips significantly affect the lateral-torsional buckling moment of these vertically laminated elements. A single lateral-torsional buckling formulae is derived, depending on both the horizontal and the vertical connection parameters.