Lateral-Torsional Buckling Behavior of Low-Carbon H-Shape Bolted Composite Beams

The construction industry faces increasing pressure to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. Promoting sustainable practices, such as using hot-rolled H-shapes and minimizing welding, can address these challenges. This study introduces low-carbon H-shape bolted composite beams (HBCBs) as a sustainable alternative. Experimental and numerical investigations into the lateral-torsional buckling behavior of HBCBs demonstrated that high-strength bolts significantly enhance structural stability and capacity. A reliable simulation method was developed and validated based on experimental results. The study reveals that bolt spacing exceeding 1/15 of the beam span has negligible effects on load-bearing capacity, and HBCB performance reaches approximately 95% of plug-welded counterparts. Despite this, longitudinal slip reduction remains challenging, warranting further research to optimize performance.