Simulation and design of semi-compact elliptical hollow sections
Author(s)
Meng, Xin
Gardner, Leroy
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Current structural steel design codes typically feature a step in the cross-sectional resistance functions at the Class 2 slenderness limit due to the abrupt switch between elastic and fully plastic capacities. To address this issue, new design rules, featuring a gradual transition between elastic and plastic resistances, have been recently developed for semi-compact (Class 3) I- and box sections to account for the partial spread of plasticity. This approach is extended herein to the cross-section and member buckling design of semi-compact elliptical hollow sections (EHS). Finite element models were first established and validated against previous test results; particular attention was given to the modelling of local geometric imperfections. Parametric studies were then conducted, where over 4000 structural performance data were numerically generated covering a wide range of cross-section aspect ratios, material properties, local and global slendernesses and load combinations. Upon completion of the numerical simulation programme, structural design rules of semi-compact EHS were developed. The classification of EHS under biaxial bending and compression plus biaxial bending was initially addressed. Following this, new design expressions featuring elasto-plastic section properties were developed to exploit partial plastification at both cross-section and member buckling levels. The accuracy of the design proposals was evaluated through comparisons between the test/numerical data and the resistance predictions; the comparisons revealed that the proposed elasto-plastic cross-section and member buckling design rules lead to both improved accuracy and consistency over the existing elastic provisions. The reliability of the proposals was verified through statistical analyses in accordance with EN 1990, demonstrating their suitability for incorporation into the next revision to EN 1993-1-1.
Date Issued
2020-01-01
Date Acceptance
2019-10-14
Citation
Engineering Structures, 2020, 202, pp.1-15
ISSN
0141-0296
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Start Page
1
End Page
15
Journal / Book Title
Engineering Structures
Volume
202
Copyright Statement
© 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This manuscript is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Sponsor
Commission of the European Communities
Identifier
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0141029619303785?via%3Dihub
Grant Number
709892
Subjects
0905 Civil Engineering
0915 Interdisciplinary Engineering
0912 Materials Engineering
Civil Engineering
Publication Status
Published online
Article Number
109807
Date Publish Online
2019-11-13