Behavior and design of aluminum alloy structural members

Abstract

This paper summarizes recent research on aluminum alloy structural members. The research program formed the basis of the PhD thesis of the first author. The behavior of aluminum alloy structural members was investigated experimentally and numerically. Tests were conducted on aluminum alloy columns, beams and beam-columns of square, rectangular and circular hollow sections. Numerical investigation was performed on fixed-ended aluminum alloy tubular columns with and without transverse welds at the ends of the columns. The effects of transverse welds on aluminum alloy columns were also investigated. The experimental and numerical results were compared with the design strengths calculated using the current American, Australian/New Zealand and European specifications for aluminum structures. In addition, the direct strength method, which was developed for cold-formed carbon steel members, was used in this study for aluminum alloy columns. Furthermore, design rules modified from the direct strength method were proposed. It is shown that the proposed design rules accurately predicted the ultimate strengths of aluminum non-welded and welded columns. The reliability of the current and proposed design rules for aluminum columns was evaluated using reliability analysis.