Ultimate load of cylindrically curved panels under uniform compression at straight edge and the influence of curvature

Abstract

<p>Curved panels are widely used in modern novel steel bridges and buildings. Stability shall be considered for these structures under compressive loads. While it still has many challenges on how to consider stability since there are no guidelines in specifications. In this paper, ultimate load of the cylindrically curved panels were studied. First, accuracy of numerical model was verified by theory and model test. Then the influence of curvature on ultimate load at the straight edge of curved panel was studied. Results showed that the deformation of curved panel was obvious in the direction perpendicular to the panel. The position of maximum deformation was located near the central region and perpendicular to the curved panel. Ultimate load of curved panel is smaller than the straight one. And the ultimate load decreases as the curvature increases with a linear relationship between the reduction factor of local stability and the curvature.</p>