Experimental evaluation of the compressive resistance of non-stress-relieved solid round steel columns

Abstract

Solid round steel columns are commonly used as legs and also as diagonal and horizontal members of communication towers. The Canadian standard Antennas, towers, and antenna supporting structures, CSA S37–01, specifies empirical expressions for the compressive resistance of solid round columns based on the Structural Stability Research Council (SSRC) column curves for non solid round columns as well as the results from experimental investigations on solid rounds that have been carried out since 1965. As such, it was felt necessary to conduct an experimental study on non-stress-relieved steel solid round columns to refine the available design equations for such columns. This paper provides a summary of a recent test program on the compressive resistance of non-stress-relieved steel solid rounds. Correlation between the results from these tests and the current practice for the design of solid rounds is investigated. The paper concludes with a proposed compressive resistance equation for economical design of such columns.