An analysis of the performance of welded wide flange columns

Abstract

The Canadian Standards Association Standard CAN-CSA-S16.1-M89 “Limit states design of steel structures” assigns welded wide flange (WWF) columns to the column curve for rolled H-shaped sections. This is conservative because of differences in the production of WWF and rolled sections. The WWFs are stipulated to have flame-cut edges. The residual stress pattern, with favourable tensile stresses, results in a delayed loss of stiffness as weak axis inelastic buckling occurs. Thus the weak axis and strong axis buckling curves lie closer together for WWF shapes than they do for rolled H-shapes. Automatic cutting and welding processes result in close tolerances on out-of-straightness. As well, the statistical variations in the geometric properties are favourable. A detailed analysis of data collected from mill records and on-site measurements was made to obtain statistical parameters of relevant geometric and material properties. A finite element program modelling inelastic behaviour, residual strain patterns, out-of-straightness, and material properties was used with the test results of others to establish test-to-predicted ratios of column strengths. Parametric studies provided an assessment of the effect of varying residual strain patterns and column out-of-straightness. This formed the basis for determining the factored compressive resistance of WWF sections for three different slenderness ratios. Key words: columns, inelastic analysis, out-of-straightness, residual stresses, welded wide flange.