Structural performance of YSt–310 cold–formed tubular steel stub columns

Abstract

This paper describes experimental and numerical investigations conducted to characterize the basic material properties and design of YSt–310 cold–formed structural steel sections at Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati. Square (SHS) and rectangular (RHS) hollow sections with minimum yield strength of 310MPa manufactured by Tata Steel India, were considered in the study. Initially, results from elemental analysis via optical emission spectrometer (OES) investigation and metallographic examination using optical microscope are presented. Key stress–strain parameters viz., Young's modulus, proof stress, ultimate strength, percentage elongation, strain hardening exponent etc. were generated based on flat, corner and weld coupon tests data. Extent of corner strength enhancement due to cold – forming determined using Vickers's microhardness test are reported. Additionally, cross – section capacity of the stub columns were also investigated experimentally and numerically. The column capacities generated from test and finite element study are compared with the existing design code – EN 1993–1–1 (EN 1993-1-1, 2005) [1] and design rules – continuous strength method (CSM) (Zhao et al., 2017) [2] and direct strength method (DSM) (North American Specifification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members, 2016; Arrayago et al., 2017) [3,4]. Based on the comparison, modifications on the existing design code and rules are suggested to provide a more accurate and reliable compressive design prediction.