Assessment of Cast-Iron Columns Using Analytical Models

Abstract

The paper focuses on the assessment of cast-iron columns in industrial heritage structures. For cast-iron structures it is difficult to verify metallurgical composition and processing technology, which directly affect the geometry of cross-sections. The crucial issue of reliability of cast-iron structures is their brittle fracture in tension at higher slenderness ratios. The load carrying capacity of columns is affected by their stability and cast-iron strength in compression and tension. Outcomes of two recently proposed analytical models are compared with extensive experimental data and model uncertainty is quantified. It appears that the model is in a good agreement with experimental data and provides reasonably conservative estimates of load carrying capacity. Outcomes of the study may provide basis for foreseen improvements in calculating buckling coefficient according to ČSN 730038:2014.