Global Instability of Elliptical Hollow Section Beam-columns under Compression and Biaxial Bending

Abstract

The global instability of elliptical hollow section members under combined compression plus biaxial bending is studied in this paper by means of laboratory testing and numerical simulations. A total of 9 beam-column tests were carried out under different combinations of compression and bending about both principal axes. The material properties of the tested sections were determined by means of tensile coupon tests. All tested elliptical hollow sections were EHS 150x75x5, and three nominal member lengths of 1 m, 2 m and 3 m were considered. Graphs of applied load versus mid-span bending moment, based on theoretical first and second order elastic considerations and the experimental second order inelastic response, are presented and described. Numerical models were initially validated against the experimental data using measured material and geometric properties, including imperfections. The models were subsequently employed in parametric studies to assess the influence of member slenderness and cross-sectional aspect ratio on the structural response. Finally, based on the experimental and numerical findings, design rules for hot-finished EHS beam-columns were assessed and statistically verified.