Aluminium alloy channel columns: testing, numerical modelling and design
Aluminium alloy channel columns: testing, numerical modelling and design
Aluminium alloys can be employed in a wide range of structural applications offering high strength-to-weight ratio, whilst they can easily be extruded in various shapes. Channel (C-) sections have been increasingly employed as compression members, such as wall studs and chord members of roof trusses in framed residential and commercial buildings. However, relevant studies on their compressive behaviour are quite limited and thus a greater emphasis should be placed on providing a deeper understanding. Towards this direction, this paper examines the structural performance of C-sections under axial compression. An experimental and numerical investigation was performed on 6082-T6 heat-treated aluminium alloy C-section columns. In total, 6 fix-ended stub column tests were executed to examine the cross-sectional compressive behaviour, whilst 8 pin-ended column tests were conducted to study their minor-axis flexural buckling behaviour. The obtained experimental results were utilised to validate the developed finite element models. Subsequently, extensive parametric studies were carried out to generate additional performance data over a broad range of cross-sectional aspect ratios, and cross-sectional and member slendernesses. Both the experimentally and numerically obtained ultimate strengths are utilised to assess the accuracy of Eurocode 9 design provisions, including the flexural buckling curve. On the basis of the experimental and numerical results, a new flexural buckling curve is proposed improving the design accuracy. The applicability of the Direct Strength Method on the design of aluminium alloy C-sections subjected to axial compression is also evaluated resulting in the most accurate and consistent design strength predictions.
Aluminium alloys, Channel sections, Direct Strength Method, Eurocode 9, Flexural buckling, Numerical modelling, Stub column tests
Georgantzia, Evangelia
915a67f2-6020-4bd3-919e-f6df11f4a031
Gkantou, Michaela
4c6dda4b-cccf-4531-9a76-34af1b69d189
Kamaris, George S.
8e3d13bc-634e-41d5-ab2e-6191d58b5e34
1 January 2023
Georgantzia, Evangelia
915a67f2-6020-4bd3-919e-f6df11f4a031
Gkantou, Michaela
4c6dda4b-cccf-4531-9a76-34af1b69d189
Kamaris, George S.
8e3d13bc-634e-41d5-ab2e-6191d58b5e34
Georgantzia, Evangelia, Gkantou, Michaela and Kamaris, George S.
(2023)
Aluminium alloy channel columns: testing, numerical modelling and design.
Thin-Walled Structures, 182, [110242].
(doi:10.1016/j.tws.2022.110242).
Abstract
Aluminium alloys can be employed in a wide range of structural applications offering high strength-to-weight ratio, whilst they can easily be extruded in various shapes. Channel (C-) sections have been increasingly employed as compression members, such as wall studs and chord members of roof trusses in framed residential and commercial buildings. However, relevant studies on their compressive behaviour are quite limited and thus a greater emphasis should be placed on providing a deeper understanding. Towards this direction, this paper examines the structural performance of C-sections under axial compression. An experimental and numerical investigation was performed on 6082-T6 heat-treated aluminium alloy C-section columns. In total, 6 fix-ended stub column tests were executed to examine the cross-sectional compressive behaviour, whilst 8 pin-ended column tests were conducted to study their minor-axis flexural buckling behaviour. The obtained experimental results were utilised to validate the developed finite element models. Subsequently, extensive parametric studies were carried out to generate additional performance data over a broad range of cross-sectional aspect ratios, and cross-sectional and member slendernesses. Both the experimentally and numerically obtained ultimate strengths are utilised to assess the accuracy of Eurocode 9 design provisions, including the flexural buckling curve. On the basis of the experimental and numerical results, a new flexural buckling curve is proposed improving the design accuracy. The applicability of the Direct Strength Method on the design of aluminium alloy C-sections subjected to axial compression is also evaluated resulting in the most accurate and consistent design strength predictions.
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More information
Accepted/In Press date: 8 October 2022
e-pub ahead of print date: 26 October 2022
Published date: 1 January 2023
Additional Information:
Funding Information:
The authors are grateful to the technicians of the Departments of Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering at Liverpool John Moores University for their valuable assistance. The financial support of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology of Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom is gratefully acknowledged.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Author(s)
Keywords:
Aluminium alloys, Channel sections, Direct Strength Method, Eurocode 9, Flexural buckling, Numerical modelling, Stub column tests
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 475115
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/475115
ISSN: 0263-8231
PURE UUID: 9e341e03-ce37-4f18-84ab-4bb195487d49
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Date deposited: 10 Mar 2023 17:34
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 04:15
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Contributors
Author:
Evangelia Georgantzia
Author:
Michaela Gkantou
Author:
George S. Kamaris
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