Finite element study of steel single angle beam–columns

Abstract

A finite element study was conducted to investigate the response of steel single angles subjected to eccentric compression and the numerical results were used to examine the effectiveness of the beam–column interaction approach suggested in the current AISC design standard. Numerical results demonstrated inconsistencies and overall conservatism inherent in the design equations and the possible sources of this conservatism were also identified and discussed. Results also indicated the existence of a critical eccentricity associated with each slenderness ratio in the case of eccentric compression causing major axis bending. Within this eccentricity, any reduction in the ultimate capacity due to eccentricity was found to be marginal. A new interaction equation for combined compression and principal axis bending was proposed. The proposed equation achieved the target reliability index with an improved test-to-prediction capacity ratio over a wide range of angle geometric parameters when compared with AISC design equations.