Compression strength of pultruded equal leg angle sections

Pultruded cross-sections are always thin-walled due to constraints in the manufacturing process. Thus, the buckling strength determines the overall strength of the member. The elastic buckling of pultruded angle sections subjected to direct compression is studied. The lateral-torsional buckling, very likely to appear in thin-walled cross-sections, is investigated. Plate theory is used to allow for cross-sectional distortion. Shear effects and bending-twisting coupling are accounted for in the analysis because of their significant role. A simplified approach for determining the maximum load of equal leg angle sections under compression is presented. The analytical results obtained in this study are compared to the manufacturer\'s design guidelines for compression members as well as with the design specifications for steel structural members. Experimental results are obtained for various length specimens of pultruded angle sections. The results presented in this paper correspond to actual pultruded equal leg angle sections being used in civil engineering structures.