The flexural behaviour of fixed-ended channel section columns

Abstract

The paper presents a study of the behaviour of thin-walled channel sections compressed between fixed ends. The paper emphasises the differences between the behaviour of fixed-ended and pin-ended channel sections, arising mainly from the fact that the local buckling induces bending of pin-ended channel sections but not of fixed-ended channel sections. As a result of the different effects of local buckling, the strength of a fixed-ended channel section column exceeds that of a pin-ended column of the same effective length. The increase in strength is quantified for a particular channel section, and is studied through the transition from pinned to fixed-end support by analysing columns which are elastically restrained against rotations at the ends. The paper also investigates the imperfection sensitivity and post-ultimate behaviour of fixed-ended channel section columns. It is shown that fixed-ended columns are less sensitive to local imperfections and that they exhibit greater post-ultimate ductility than pin-ended columns. The study is confined to columns whose overall buckling mode is the flexural mode.