Buckling of hollow rectangular aluminum columns

Abstract

This thesis is written at Structural Impact Laboratory (SIMLab) and the Centre of Advanced Structural Analysis (CASA) in collaboration with SINTEF and Statnett.

The capacity of simply supported aluminium columns exposed to both transverse loading and axial compression has been examined. The applicable column does consist of an unsymmetrical cross section composed by a thin-walled hollow rectangle and a flange perpendicular to one off its major sides.

Tensile tests at the different section of the profile have been conducted. This, to detect eventual differences in the material properties and in the purpose to establish a constitutive stress-strain relation to be implemented in a numerical model. Both directions about the weak axis of the column were implemented in the experimental testing, and analytic and numerical analysis has been carried out and compared to the results.

Axial compression which did expose the flange to tensional stresses occurred in a local buckling mode that did limit the columns capacity. By exposing the flange to compressional stresses, the column did oppose the buckling propagation to a greater extent.