Resistances of high-strength steel equal-leg-angle section columns eccentrically connected by one leg

Abstract

Structural performances and compression resistances of S460 high-strength steel equal-leg-angle section columns eccentrically connected by one leg at one end were analysed based on experiments and numerical simulations, and the results are reported in this study. It was first conducted as a testing program, which comprised material tensile coupon tests, initial global and torsional geometric imperfection measurements, and forty–eight column tests. Experimental setup and procedures have been presented in detail. Key test results, which include failure patterns, load–mid–height lateral displacement curves, and load–strain curves, are reported and discussed. Columns with slenderness ratios of 30 and 45 failed primarily owing to local buckling, and those with slenderness ratios of 60 and 80 failed primarily owing to flexural–torsional buckling. A numerical modelling program was implemented. Finite element models were developed and verified based on test results. Numerical data based on various cross-sectional dimensions and member lengths were obtained. Then, the accuracy of the codified design methods based on the Chinese, American, and European standards and direct strength method (DSM) design approach was evaluated based on the obtained test and numerical data. The evaluation results revealed that the predicted load–carrying capacities of columns with eccentric connections using GB50017 and AISC360 well agreed with the corresponding experimental and finite element analysis results. The prediction results of columns based on the other codified methods were relatively unsatisfactory. Based on the application of the revised GB50017 and DSM–based approaches, improved resistance predictions were achieved.