Structural oval hollow sections represent a recent and rare
addition to the range of cr
oss-sections available to
structural engineers and architects. Th
eir emergence is also timely given the in
creasing application of hollow sections
in construction and the current trend towards the use of bare
steelwork to express structur
al form. However, despite
widespread interest in their application on the basis of both
architectural appeal and struct
ural efficiency, a lack of
verified design guidance is inhibiting uptake. This paper
summarises previous analytical and experimental studies on
oval hollow sections, and describes laboratory testing, numer
ical modelling and evaluation of preliminary design rules
for the recently introduced
structural elliptical hollow sec
tions. Laboratory testing has been carried out in two primary
structural configurations – compression and in-plane bending. In addition to the basic geometry (including initial
geometric imperfections) and material properties, full load-deformation histories were recorded. Numerical models,
using the finite element package ABAQUS, were created and
validated against the test results, before a series of
sensitivity and parametric studies were
conducted. The models included features
such as curved geometry, non-linear
material properties and initial geometric imperfections. For stub column behaviour, ultimate load was generally well
predicted by the numerical models, but
prediction of deformation at ultimat
e load was less accurate. For bending
behaviour, the full bending moment-deformation history was consistently well predicted. Comparison of the test and
finite element results against prelimin
ary design rules has demonstrated broa
dly acceptable agreement, but additional
analysis on the basis of further testing and modelling is required.