Stainless steel lipped C-section beams: Numerical modelling and development of design rules

Abstract

Experimental results and finite element (FE) analysis results on stainless steel lipped C-section beams are scarce. Therefore, a series of tests were performed on S30408 stainless steel, including 6 major-axis bending and 6 weak-axis bending specimens. Two numerical modelling programmes, major-axis bending and weak-axis bending, have been carried out to investigate the behavior of stainless steel lipped C-section beams. The numerical models, which were developed using the FE package ABAQUS, were verified by experimental results. The models were used to conduct parametric studies of the impact of key parameters on the moment capacity of stainless steel lipped C-section beams subject to failure by local buckling. Finally, based on FE analysis of 238 specimens under major-axis bending and 229 members under weak-axis bending, direct strength equations for lipped C-section stainless steel beams under major-axis bending and weak-axis bending are proposed. A comparison of test results with equation predictions indicates that the formulas have high accuracy and reliability and can accurately calculate the moment capacity of stainless steel lipped C-section beams. • The key parameter influencing the moment capacity of beams is the cross-section aspect ratio. • Simplified model effectively simulates the failure mode and moment capacity of beams. • Direct strength equation for stainless steel lipped C-section beams is fitted. • The fitted equations can accurately calculate the moment capacity of beams.