Biegungslängen

Biegungslängen refers to the effective length of a structural member, such as a column, that influences its buckling resistance. It is a crucial concept in structural engineering, particularly in the design of compression members. Unlike the actual physical length of the member, the biegungslänge accounts for the end conditions and the overall structural system in which the member is placed. These end conditions, such as being fixed, pinned, or free, significantly affect how the member will deform under axial load and thus its susceptibility to buckling. A member with more constrained ends will have a shorter effective biegungslänge and therefore a higher buckling load compared to a member with the same physical length but with less constrained ends. The biegungslänge is typically expressed as a multiple of the physical length, with the multiplier being referred to as the effective length factor. Determining the correct biegungslänge is essential for ensuring the safety and stability of structures, as underestimation can lead to premature failure due to buckling. Various standards and codes provide methods and guidance for calculating biegungslängen based on different structural configurations and end support conditions.