Impact of High Temperature Creep on the Buckling of Axially Compressed Steel Members

Abstract

The paper presents results of the laboratory tests of the impact of creep on the buckling of axially compressed steel members at elevated temperatures. Tests were conducted on samples prepared of normal strength steel (S235JR) and high strength steel (S355J2). Samples were made in the form of a prismatic bar of a rectangular cross section 12 x 30 mm and a length of 500 mm. Support type of the specimens during tests was hinged on both ends. The tests were done at 600, 700 and 800°C. Experiments were carried out at static loads corresponding to values 0,8Ncr,T, 0,9Ncr,T, 1,0Ngr,T, where Ncr,T was theoretical value of Euler’s critical load at given temperature. Short-term creep analyses were performed in the universal testing machine Instron/Satec KN 600 equipped with a furnace for high-temperature testing type SF-16 2230, that enables testing at temperatures up to 1200°C. Temperature of the sample placed inside the furnace was verified and recorded with use of the compactRIO cRIO-9076 controller, equipped with a module for the connection of NI 9211 and K-type thermocouples. The system for the measurement and recording of the temperature of the analysed samples operated in the LabVIEW software environment. To measure lateral and longitudinal displacements LVTD Solatron ACR 100 displacement transducer was used. During the tests, the samples were heated to the given temperature (600, 700 or 800°C) and then subjected to a constant compressive load. During each test, for each sample following data was registered: the temperature on the surface of samples, longitudinal and lateral displacements in the middle of the sample. Basing on the conducted tests it was noted, for both analysed steel types, at the temperature of 800°C, growth of lateral displacements due to creep was very rapid, and tested elements were losing bearing capacity over the period of tens to hundreds of seconds, depending on stress level and the grade of the steel. At a temperature of 700°C growth of lateral displacements was much slower and the total loss of the bearing capacity of tested samples has occurred after 2 to 5 hours. At the temperature of 600°C samples did not show significant increments of lateral displacements at the test duration more than 6 hours, while maintaining throughout the test rectilinear form.