Buckling of post-tensioned composite beams

A method for computing the elastic buckling prestressing force of a post-tensioned composite steel-concrete tee-beam is presented. The method is based on a virtual work formulation, and incorporates the restraint provided by the concrete slab to the buckling displacements of the steel beam. The distortional buckling solutions are shown to be given by a quadratic equation. The application of the analysis to calculation buckling strengths is given, based on codified rules for beam-columns. Conclusions are then drawn on the importance of distortional buckling when a post-tensioned composite beam is stressed during jacking.