A series of tests were performed on cold-formed austenitic stainless steel square, rectangular
and circular hollow section (SHS, RHS and CHS, respectively) members. Twenty-two
flexural buckling tests and nine 3-point bending tests were carried out. Measurements were
taken of cross-section geometry, local and global initial geometric imperfections and
material properties in tension and compression. Results from the tests, including full load–
deformation histories are presented; these have served as a basis for calibration of numerical
models and for the development and verification of a new approach to structural stainless
steel design. The test results represent a major contribution to the pool of available test data
for stainless steel structures. Combining these data with all previously available test results
for stainless steel hollow section columns and beams in a comparison against strengths predicted
by Eurocode 3: Part 1.4 shows, on average, that the Eurocode method is overly conservative