Flexural behaviour of stainless steel oval hollow sections

• Published in: Thin-walled structures Vol. 47; no. 6; pp. 776 - 787
• Main Authors: Theofanous, M., Chan, T.M., Gardner, L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-06-2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Beam; Bending; Building structure; Buildings. Public works; Construction (buildings and works); Cross-section; Elliptical; Exact sciences and technology; Experiments; Finite element; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Hollow section; Metal structure; Numerical modelling; Oval; Physics; Solid mechanics; Stainless steel; Structural and continuum mechanics; Structural testing; Tubular construction; Vibration, mechanical wave, dynamic stability (aeroelasticity, vibration control...); Beam; Structural testing; Tubular construction; Stainless steel; Cross-section; Elliptical; Oval; Bending; Experiments; Numerical modelling; Hollow section; Finite element; Aspect ratio; Test bar; Modeling; Finite element method; Shaped piece; Axial load; Cold forming; Experimental study; Thin walled beam; Hollow beam; Bending vibration; Structural analysis; Bending test
• ISSN: 0263-8231; 1879-3223
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tws.2009.01.001

Structural hollow sections are predominantly square, rectangular or circular in profile. While square and circular hollow sections are often the most effective in resisting axial loads, rectangular hollow sections, with greater stiffness about one principal axis than the other, are generally more suitable in bending. Oval or elliptical hollow sections (EHS) combine the aesthetic external profile of circular hollow sections with the suitability for resisting flexure of rectangular sections, whilst also retaining the inherent torsional stiffness offered by all tubular sections. This paper examines the structural response of recently introduced stainless steel oval hollow sections (OHS) in bending and presents design recommendations. In-plane bending tests in the three-point configuration about both the major and minor axes were conducted. All tested specimens were cold-formed from Grade 1.4401 stainless steel and had an aspect ratio of approximately 1.5. The full moment-rotation responses of the specimens were recorded and have been presented herein. The tests were replicated numerically by means of non-linear finite element (FE) analysis and parametric studies were performed to investigate the influence of key parameters, such as the aspect ratio and the cross-section slenderness, on the flexural response. Based on both the experimental and numerical results, structural design recommendations for stainless steel OHS in bending in accordance with Eurocode 3: Part 1.4 have been made.