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This paper presents the results of a large parametric study concerning the evaluation of the critical local buckling coefficient for thin-walled rectangular hollow section (RHS) members subjected to combined axial load and biaxial bending, accounting for web-flange interaction. The calculation of the half-wavelength leading to the minimum critical local bifurcation load is performed by means of a Generalized Beam Theory specialization, which makes it possible to quickly solve a large set of cases. In particular, taking advantage of the small half-wavelength of local buckling, it is assumed that the stresses are uniformly distributed along the member length, making it possible to resort to semi-analytical solutions using sinusoidal half-wave amplitude functions for the GBT cross-section deformation modes. On the basis of the results obtained, the key parameters governing local buckling are identified, leading to easy-to-use charts and closed-form formulae to determine the local buckling coefficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of an extensive experimental campaign on centric and eccentric compressive behavior of thin-walled steel uprights of pallet-rack systems are presented. The analyzed cold-formed profiles are perforated through their whole length and have open, mono-symmetric cross-sections. Experimental results are extended through finite-element simulations, including geometrical and material nonlinearities, to obtain detailed three-dimensional compression-bending-bending strength-domains, which are compared to building-code prescriptions. Regulations are safety preserving, with an average difference of about 10%, and maximum difference for bending about the weak axis. Unlike in regulatory prescriptions, the experimental-numerical results show unsymmetrical behavior about the weak axis and nonlinear, convex bending-bending interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]