Tests of perforated aluminium alloy SHSs and RHSs under axial compression

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental investigation on a wide range of aluminium alloy stub, intermediate and slender columns containing multiple circular openings. Three series of compression tests including six different cross-section dimensions of columns with different lengths were conducted by applying uniform axial load to the pin-ended specimens, which were fabricated by extrusion of square and rectangular hollow sections (SHS and RHS) using 6061-T6 and 6063-T5 heat-treated aluminium alloys. In test series I, the specimens were fabricated by welding aluminium alloy plates at both ends of the columns for pin-ended compression tests. In test series II, the specimens were further reinforced by carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) at the heat-affected zone resulted from the welding. In test series III, the special aluminium alloy sleeves were designed instead of welding at both ends of the columns to preclude the form of the heat-affected zone. The column strengths, failure modes, load versus axial shortening curves, and strain distributions along the circular openings of test specimens were all obtained from the experimental investigation. In addition, the test strengths of aluminium alloy SHS and RHS columns with or without openings were compared with the design strengths calculated using the design rules given in the current design guidelines. It is shown from the comparison that the first design method proposed by Zhu and Young for aluminium alloy SHS and RHS welded columns is comparatively appropriate for the design of aluminium alloy SHSs and RHSs under axial compression. Whereas, the current design rules for cold-formed steel structural members with openings may be inapplicable to the design of perforated aluminium alloy SHSs and RHSs under axial compression.