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This work presents several results of the stability in steel columns subject to pure compression. A square hollow cross-section with different sizes was considered. This study presents all the analytical equations that need to be used to verify the stability of each column with different lengths and boundary conditions. A finite element program was also chosen to achieve the most critical loads (Euler and buckling resistance loads) in the calculation for each element under study, using linear and nonlinear geometric and material modeling. Steel material was used for the columns, where damage due to plasticity was included, through plastic behavior with isotropic hardening. Comparing the results allows us to conclude that the use of the finite element method is an alternative methodology to be used in other types or configurations of columns, where parameterized tests can be easily implemented and to contribute to the development of a wide-ranging database. The finite element method led to an accurate solution when compared with the analytical results with a maximum deviation of 14.7%. By increasing the column length and reducing the cross-section size, the design buckling resistance of the studied columns also decreases. These studies demonstrate that the length and size of the column cross-section can meaningfully increase the structural behavior of the columns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the ultimate resistance of aluminum circular hollow sections (C.H.S.) under simple load cases as affected by local buckling and material strain hardening. Following the development of advanced non-linear shell finite element models and their validation against existing test data, extensive non-linear numerical analyses were carried out, varying several key parameters such as alloy types, load case (compression or pure bending) and various section dimensions. The numerical results are used as references to analyze the structural performance of aluminum C.H.S., and to assess the accuracy of design equations based on the Overall Interaction Concept (O.I.C.). The O.I.C.-based proposal is shown to yield more accurate, consistent, and continuous resistance predictions than Eurocode 9 recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum appears as a promising structural material as it shows many benefits such as a great strength to weight ratio, low maintenance costs, resistance to corrosion, recyclability, etc. Accordingly, characterizing the behavior and resistance of different aluminum sections under various loading conditions is essential. The current paper presents an experimental investigation on aluminum sections with simple and complex geometries to study the effect of cross-section shape on the buckling response of the aluminum sections. Firstly, eight tensile coupon tests were conducted on coupons of aluminum alloy 6061-T6 to accurately determine its material properties. Geometrical imperfections on the surface of each specimen were then measured using a 3D scanner. Further, eight stub column tests were also performed to study the behavior of I, H and complex cross-sections under pure compression. In addition to this, 12 cross-section tests under combined compression and bending are currently under way to study the buckling behavior of these specimens under eccentric compression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimisation of the design method for verification of slender steel beam-columns is still a current issue not only from scientific point of view, but also for design practice. Therefore, the main objective of this paper is comparison of the suitability of established design approaches, according to the European standards for steel and aluminium structures, on the basis of numerical simulations. Thus, a finite element model was validated on the basis of experimental analysis available in the scientific literature. To perform the comparison of accuracy of design approaches according to European standards, a commercial software program ANSYS was used for observation of the resistances of beam-columns. The resistance of european I beams with parallel flanges (IPE) and a rectangular hollow cross-section (RHS) were investigated for four load cases on a simply supported member and also on a pinned-fixed beam column with linear bending moment distribution, where the resistance of the cross-section governs. Finally, the conclusions for suitability of the respective design approaches are discussed, together with some findings that arose from this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]