Tests of pin-ended cold-formed lean duplex stainless steel columns

Abstract

This paper describes a test program on cold-formed lean duplex stainless steel columns compressed between pinned ends. Two square hollow sections and four rectangular hollow sections were tested at different column lengths. The material properties of the test specimens were obtained from tensile coupon tests and stub column tests. The test specimens were cold-rolled from flat strips of lean duplex stainless steel (EN1.4162). The column specimens were concentrically loaded between pinned ends. The ultimate loads and the failure modes of each column are presented. The American, Australian/New Zealand and European specifications for stainless steel structures are assessed by comparing the column test strengths and available data in the literatures with the design strengths. It should be noted that these specifications do not cover the material of lean duplex stainless steel. A reliability analysis was carried out to assess the current design rules of stainless steel for lean duplex material. Generally, the specifications are able to predict the strengths of the tested columns. The design approach of using full cross-section area and material properties obtained by stub column tests for all classes of sections including slender sections was recommended. This recommended design approach does not require section classification and calculation of effective area, and provides a more accurate and less scattered prediction than those using the current design rules.