Experiment and code-based study on high-strength steel pin-ended angles under axial compression

Abstract

Abstract This study describes an experimental and numerical modelling investigation of the buckling behaviour and load-carrying capacities of pin-ended hot-rolled high-strength structural steel equal-leg angle section columns. The testing programme involved material testing, measurements of the initial geometric imperfections, and 48 pin-ended column tests. The non-linear finite element models were developed considering the residual stresses, geometric imperfections, and stress–strain curves obtained from the tension coupon tests, and the models were validated. Next, a parametric study was carried out to generate additional numerical data. The experiment and numerical results were analysed in detail and then utilised to evaluate the accuracy of the established design rules in China, the USA, and Europe. Through an in-depth comparative study, it was proved that the prediction of the compressive load-carrying capacity of high-strength steel angle section columns, using code GB50017, is relatively accurate.