Experimental and Numerical Investigation On Strength Of Eccentrically Loaded Steel Oval Hollow Sections

Abstract

Steel oval hollow sections (SOHS) are often used in construction due to their strength and aesthetic shape. However, current AISC360-16 specifications lack explicit rules for design of such sections when subjected to eccentric axial loading. The purpose of this study is to investigate the strength of SOHS when subjected to eccentric loading. An experimental program was established to examine eccentrically loaded SOHS with different slenderness ratios, Lc/r, load eccentricities, e, wall- to- thickness ratios, h/t, and aspect ratios of section, h/w. Geometric imperfections and material properties in test samples were measured before loading, A numerical model was established using ANSYS software and verified by comparison to test results obtained herein. The model was used to conduct an extensive parametric study on more than 216 samples with wide range of geometric and loading parameters. The effect of each parameter on strength of SOHS was studied and used to set design equations for eccentrically loaded SOHS.