ABSTRACT
This chapter is concerned with the influence of restraints on the elastic buckling of columns. A column is often connected to other elements which participate in the buckling action, and significantly influence the buckling resistance. Braces are provided specifically for the purpose of increasing the buckling resistance but many other elements, such as sheeting, which are intended primarily for other purposes, may also have important restraining actions. Discrete restraints act at points where braces or other restraining elements are connected to the column and induce actions which resist the buckling deflections, rotations, and warping displacements. These restraints are usually assumed to be elastic, in which case they may be characterized by their elastic stiffnesses. Continuous restraints are similar to discrete restraints, in that they induce actions which restrain the buckling deformations. They also are usually assumed to be elastic, and so may be characterized by their elastic stiffnesses.
