Stainless-steel square hollow tubes subjected to low-temperature eccentric compression loads

Abstract

To promote the applications of stainless-steel square hollow tubes (SSHTs) in cold regions, the low-temperature eccentric compression behaviours of SSHTs were investigated. Twelve SSHTs were tested at four eccentricity ratios (e/r) of 0, 0.33, 0.72, and 1.00 and four low temperatures (T) of 20, −30, −60, and − 80 °C. Test results showed that inward and outward plastic local buckles alternatively took place in the axially-loaded SSHTs at ambient/low temperatures, and inward plastic local buckles occurred to the cross-sectional compression tip of eccentrically-loaded SSHTs. Low temperatures improve the load carrying capacity of SSHTs subjected to compression. Reducing low temperature increased the ultimate bending resistances of SSHTs. Increasing the e/r generally reduces the yielding and ultimate loads of SSHTs. Different code prediction equations were used to estimate eccentric-compression capacities of SSHTs at low temperatures. Validations showed that the SEI/ASCE802, EC3, and ANSI were conservative to predict N-M interactions of SSHTs subjected to low-temperature eccentric compression.