• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.135-145
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• 2023

This study presents a numerical investigation into the hysteretic behavior of cold-formed austenitic stainless steel square hollow section (SHS) brace members using a commercial finite element (FE) analysis software ABAQUS/Standard. The initial/post buckling and fracture life of SHS brace members are comprehensively investigated through parametric studies with FE models incorporating ductile fracture model, which is validated against the existing laboratory test results collected from the literature. It is found that the current predictive models are applicable for the initial buckling strengths of SHS brace members under cyclic loading, while result in significant inaccuracy in predictions for the post-buckling strength and fracture life. The modified predictive model is therefore proposed and the applicability was then confirmed through excellent comparisons with test results for cold-formed austenitic stainless SHS brace members.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.69-79
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• 2019

Numerous problems have always vexed engineers with buckling, corrosion, bending, and over-loading in damaged steel structures. The present study aims to study the possible effects of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) for strengthening deficient Steel Square Hollow Section (SHS) columns. To this end, the effects of axial loading, stiffness values, axial displacement, the shape of deficient on the length of steel SHS columns were evaluated based on a detailed parametric study. Ten specimens were tested to failure under axial compression in laboratory and simulated by using Finite Element (FE) analysis based on numerical approach. The results indicated that the application of CFRP sheets resulted in reducing stress in the damage location and preventing or retarding local deformation around the deficiency location appropriately. In addition, the retrofitting method could increase loading the carrying capacity of specimens.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.173-185
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• 2019

This paper presents experimental and numerical investigations of aluminum tubular members subjected to combined bending and web crippling. A series of tests was performed on square hollow sections (SHS) fabricated by extrusion using 6061-T6 heat-treated aluminum alloy. Different specimen lengths were tested to obtain the interaction relationship between moment and concentrated load. The non-linear finite element models were developed and verified against the experimental results obtained in this study and test data from existing literature for aluminum tubular sections subjected to pure bending, pure web crippling, and combined bending and web crippling. Geometric and material non-linearities were included in the finite element models. The finite element models closely predicted the strengths and failure modes of the tested specimens. Hence, the models were used for an extensive parametric study of cross-section geometries, and the web slenderness values ranged from 6.0 to 86.2. The combined bending and web crippling test results and strengths predicted from the finite element analysis were compared with the design strengths obtained using the current American Specification, Australian/New Zealand Standard and European Code for aluminum structures. The findings suggest that the current specifications are either quite conservative or unconservative for aluminum square hollow sections subjected to combined bending and web crippling. Hence, a bending and web crippling interaction equation for aluminum square hollow section specimens is proposed in this paper.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.131-150
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• 2013

This paper presents the experimental results of axially loaded stub columns of slender steel hollow square section (SHS) strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) sheets. 9 specimens were fabricated and the main parameters were: width-thickness ratio (b/t), the number of CFRP ply, and the CFRP sheet orientation. From the tests, it was observed that two sides would typically buckle outward and the other two sides would buckle inward. A maximum increase of 33% was achieved in axial-load capacity when 3 layers of CFRP were used to wrap HSS columns of b/t = 100 transversely. Also, stiffness and ductility index (DI) were compared between un-retrofitted specimens and retrofitted specimens. Finally, it was shown that the application of CFRP to slender sections delays local buckling and subsequently results in significant increases in elastic buckling stress. In the last section, a prediction formula of the ultimate strength developed using the experimental results is presented.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.66 no.4
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• pp.439-444
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• 2018

This paper presents a numerical study on the behavior of continuous hollow steel beam strengthened using carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP). Most previous studies on the CFRP strengthening of steel beams have been carried out on the steel beams with simple boundary conditions. No independent study, to the researcher's knowledge, has studied on the CFRP strengthening of square hollow section (SHS) continuous steel beam. However, this study explored the effect of the use of adhesively bonded CFRP flexible sheets on the behavior of the continuous SHS steel beams. Finite Element Method (FEM) has been employed for modeling. Eleven specimens, ten of which were strengthened using CFRP sheets, were analyzed under different coverage length, the number of layers, and the location of CFRP composite. ANSYS software was used to analyze the SHS steel beams. The results showed that the coverage length, the number of layers, and the location of CFRP composite are effective in increasing the ultimate load capacity of the continuous SHS steel beams. Application of CFRP composite also caused the ductility increase some strengthened specimens.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.185-199
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• 2019

Modular construction is an emerging technology to accommodate the increasing restrictions in terms of construction period, energy efficiency and environmental impacts, since each structural module is prefabricated offsite beforehand and assembled onsite using industrialized techniques. However, some innate structural drawbacks of this innovative method are also distinct, such as connection tying inaccessibility, column instability and system robustness. This study aims to explore the theoretical and numerical stability analysis of a tenon-connected square hollow section (SHS) steel column to address the tying and stability issue in modular construction. Due to the excellent performance of composite structures in fire resistance and buckling prevention, concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) columns are also taken into account in the analysis to evaluate the feasibility of adopting composite sections in modular buildings. Characteristic equations with three variables, i.e., the length ratio, the bending stiffness ratio and the rotational stiffness ratio, are generated from the fourth-order governing differential equations. The rotational stiffness ratio is recognized as the most significant factor, with interval analysis conducted for its mechanical significance and domain. Numerical analysis using ABAQUS is conducted for validation of characteristic equations. Recommendations and instructions in predicting the buckling performance of both SHS and CFST columns are then proposed.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.637-656
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• 2021

The component-based method is widely used to analyze the initial stiffness of joint in steel structures. In this study, an analytical component model for determining the column face stiffness of square or rectangular hollow section (SHS/RHS) subjected to tension was established, focusing on endplate connections. Equations for calculating the stiffness of the SHS/RHS column face in bending were derived through regression analysis using numerical results obtained from a finite element model database. Because the presence of bolt holes decreased the bending stiffness of the column face, this effect was calculated using a novel plate-spring-based model through numerical analysis. The developed component model was first applied to predict the bending stiffness of the SHS column face determined through tests. Furthermore, this model was incorporated into the component-based method with other effective components, e.g., bolts under tension, to determine the tensile stiffness of the T-stub connections, which connects the SHS column, and the initial rotational stiffness of the joints. A comparison between the model predictions, test data, and numerical results confirms that the proposed model shows satisfactory accuracy in evaluating the bending stiffness of SHS column faces.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.299-305
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• 2013

This paper presents the experimental results of behacior of slender square hollow section columns strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) sheets subjected to concentrated axial loading. Three long specimens were fabricated and one stub column were fabricated. The main parameters were the number of CFRP layers. From the tests, it was observed that global buckling were occurred at the center of specimen for unretrofitting slender column. However, CFRP retrofitting could prevent the global buckling of slender column. Maximum increase of 22% was also achieved in axial-load capacity with three longitudinal layered CFRP applied on four sides of steel tubes.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.735-742
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• 2012

This paper presents the experimental results of axially loaded stub columns of slender steel hollow square section(SHS) strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced polymers(CFRP) sheets. 6 specimens were fabricated and the main parameters were: width-thickness ratio(b/t) and CFRP retrofitting. From the tests, it was observed that two sides would typically buckle outward and the other two sides would buckle inward. A maximum increase of 33% was achieved in axial-load capacity. Also, stiffness and ductility index(DI) were compared between unretrofitted specimens and retrofitted specimens. In the last section, a prediction formula of the ultimate strength developed using the experimental results is presented.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.67 no.2
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• pp.207-217
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• 2018

In past years, numerous problems have vexed engineers with regard to buckling, corrosion, bending, and overloading in damaged steel structures. This article sets out to investigate the possible effects of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and steel plates for retrofitting deficient steel square hollow section (SHS) columns. The effects of axial loading, stiffness, axial displacement, the position and shape of deficient region on the length of steel SHS columns, and slenderness ratio are examined through a detailed parametric study. A total of 14 specimens was tested for failure under axial compression in a laboratory and simulated using finite element (FE) analysis based on a numerical approach. The results indicate that the application of CFRP sheets and steel plates also caused a reduction in stress in the damaged region and prevented or retarded local deformation around the deficiency. The findings showed that a deficiency leads to reduced load-carrying capacity of steel SHS columns and the retrofitting method is responsible for the increase in the load-bearing capacity of the steel columns. Finally, this research showed that the CFRP performed better than steel plates in compensating the axial force caused by the cross-section reduction due to the problems associated with the use of steel plates, such as in welding, increased weight, thermal stress around the welding location, and the possibility of creating another deficiency by welding.