Column Behavior of Cold‐Formed Hollow Sections

Abstract

The results of an experimental investigation into the strength and collapse behavior of Australian‐produced cold‐formed square and rectangular hollow section columns is described. The individual plate strengths calculated from the stub column tests on both square and rectangular hollow sections are compared with predictions based on the effective width formulae in the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) specification. The long column test results on square hollow sections are compared with the AISI class A and class B column curves as well as a proposal based on the Structural Stability Research Council (SSRC) multiple column curves. The sections studied had plate width to thickness ratios in a range where local buckling and yielding occur almost simultaneously, leading to rapid load shedding after ultimate. Theoretical models of the postultimate collapse behavior, based on local plastic mechanisms, are summarized in the paper. The theoretical models are compared with the collapse behavior of the stub columns and long columns.