Experimental investigation of compressed stainless steel angle columns

Abstract

This paper presents the experimental programme of an extensive research project that deals with analysing the behaviour of compressed stainless steel columns with equal angle sections. The research focuses on different material and geometrical parameters of pin-ended angle columns produced from austenitic and lean-duplex stainless steel alloys. To assess the influences of initial imperfections on column compressive resistance caused by different manufacturing procedures, three types of angle products are included: cold-formed, hot-rolled and laser-welded sections. In order to obtain both elastic and inelastic ultimate responses, including flexural and torsional-flexural buckling modes, the lengths and cross-section geometries of specimens are selected to cover non-slender sections and slender sections covering the entire wide slenderness range. The experimental programme covers all relevant tests: 15 tensile coupon tests, 15 stub-column tests, 48 overall buckling tests on slender columns and 2 residual stress tests, including measurements of initial geometric imperfections. The purpose of these experiments is to provide a reliable database to determine design rules for angle members and extend the scope of procedures currently codified in EN 1993-1-4 (2015), not only to conventional angle profiles, but also to contemporary products such as laser-welded angles.