Experimental Compression Tests Research Articles

Microfabrics impact on rock salt geomechanical diversity – an experimental investigation

Geomechanical studies of rock salt serve as the foundation for designing and ensuring the long-term stability of storage caverns. Research conducted in recent years has shown that rock salt exhibit highly variable mechanical parameters. Even macroscopically similar rock salt samples from the same formation have very different mechanical parameters in standard strength tests. In this paper, the effect of microfabrics on the mechanical behaviour of rock salt was studied using a uniaxial compression device with simultaneous observation under a microscope. The tests were carried out on rock salt samples, previously tested on standard uniaxial compression (UCS). Tested samples showed different strength values despite macroscopic similarity and similar anhydrite content. The tests revealed that the microfabrics, such as fluid inclusions and anhydrite crystals distributed along the halite grain boundaries, play a significant role in the strength of a rock salt sample. Four types of grain boundaries were recognized in both group of samples: (1) dominated by anhydrite crystals with a small number of fluid inclusions (FIs), (2) with FIs prevailing over anhydrite crystals, (3) only with FIs, and (4) without anhydrite crystals or FIs. The experimental uniaxial compression tests in microscale (mUCS) showed that the damage process is initiated by FIs activity at the halite grain boundaries and consists of three main stages. The samples dominated by anhydrite crystals at halite grain boundaries were characterised by the highest mUCS. Conversely, if FIs prevail at the grain boundaries the lowest mUCS values were registered. Therefore, anhydrite crystals located along halite grain boundaries influenced the mechanical behaviour and deformation process. On the contrary, anhydrite crystals dispersed within halite grains had no impact on failure and mechanical parameters. The experiment showed that apart from impurity content, the distribution of these impurities within halite grains should be examined during geomechanical evaluation of rock salt samples. Thus, the overall strength of rock salt samples determined in standard test results from the local variations of petrological features in micro- and macro scale.

Artificial neural networks for inverse design of a semi-auxetic metamaterial

This study introduces an artificial neural network approach for the inverse design of a novel semi-auxetic mechanical metamaterial to achieve a specified stress-strain curve and/or Poisson's ratio-strain curve. To accomplish this, after presenting the metamaterial and assessing its characteristics, 1500 structures of the same metamaterial with various parameters are generated using a parametric model. The metamaterials are then gone through a compression test simulation using Finite Element (FE) analysis; accordingly, each metamaterial's stress-strain and Poisson's ratio curves are derived. The results of FE simulations are validated using mesh convergence check and experimental compression tests on a 3D printed specimen of the proposed metamaterial. In the next step, 80 % of the data are randomly selected to be used as training data for the artificial neural networks (ANN), while the remaining 20 % is employed to evaluate the performance of the ANNs using different metrics. The capability of the ANNs to predict the design parameters of the proposed metamaterial is assessed by providing different kinds of inputs, including the stress-strain curve, Poisson's ratio curve, and both. The observations reveal that the ANNs achieve more accurate results when both the stress-strain and Poisson's ratio-strain curves are provided as the inputs. The presented ANN in this study serves as a robust tool for precisely designing the parameters of the proposed metamaterial, allowing for the attainment of the desired stress-strain and/or Poisson's ratio-strain behavior. It is shown that the proposed metamaterial owns potential applications in crawling soft robotics, automotive, and construction industries.

Enhanced mechanical properties of magnesium alloy reinforced by layered Ti3AlC2 MAX phase fabricated by SPS at a near solidus temperature

Powder metallurgy stands out as a highly promising and versatile method for manufacturing particle-reinforced metal matrix composite (MMCs) as compared to other fabrication processes. This method ensures excellent binding between the matrix and reinforcement, uniform microstructure, and effectively prevents the formation of undesirable phases. In this study, magnesium alloy (AZ91) metal matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced with 0–30 vol% of Ti3AlC2 MAX phase were prepared by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) from powders at temperature close to the solidus. Ti3AlC2 is a member of the MAX phases which are known for their layered structure, machinability and being ternary carbides. The latter was synthetized from pure components (Ti, TiC and Al) using insulated SPS technology at high temperature. Sintered composites reached quasi-full density, as measured by Archimedes’ method. Their microstructure has been assessed by SEM and X-ray diffraction (XRD) respectively. Mechanical properties in relationship with the microstructure of all composites were carefully investigated. The experimental compressive tests data were extracted to obtain true strain-true stress curves. Vickers hardness (HV1), ultimate compressive strength (UCS) and conventional yield strength (0.2%YCS) increase with an increasing fraction of Ti3AlC2 in the composites and compare favorably with literature. SEM observations of fracture surfaces after compression tests seem to show that cracks initiate in both Ti3AlC2 clusters and α-Mg/MAX interfaces.

Mechanical Properties of Virgin and Recycled Polymer for Construction Pile Application

Annual polymer waste generated in Malaysia has increased significantly to more than 1 million tonnes. The prolonged degradation periods required by diverse industrial polymer waste streams are a matter of significant concern, with some taking up to 1000 years to fully degrade. Pursuing a similar environmental concern, the use of bakau piles as supports for lightweight structures in Sarawak, including drainage systems, roads, sewerage, and other water-related structures, has become a matter of concern due to the deforestation of mangrove forests. Both bakau deforestation and polymer waste issues are significant environmental and global concerns. The idea of mitigating mangrove degradation and the non-biodegradable nature of polymer waste has led to the conceptualization of an alternative solution whereby recyclable thermoplastic polymer piles are utilized to supplant bakau piles in providing support for lightweight structures during civil engineering construction projects. Therefore, the study of polymer piles is conducted to examine their mechanical properties in the form of virgin (V) and recycled (R) thermoplastic polymers. In this study, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are considered, and the possibility of being utilized in pile application has been discussed. Based on the results, all virgin types of thermoplastic polymers (HDPE, PP, and PVC), 50%V:50%R for PP, PP(R), and PVC(R), respectively, exceed the bakau ultimate tensile strength. Thermoplastic polymer piles showed great potential to be the substitution for bakau piles to serve in the construction industry, with the recorded experimental tensile and compressive strength tests.

Investigation on the elastic flexural stiffness of dot-by-dot wire-and-arc additively manufactured stainless steel bars

Among different metal additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, arc-based Directed Energy Deposition, also known as Wire-and-Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM), is considered the most suitable for large-scale structural components production. In particular, the WAAM printing strategy referred to as “dot-by-dot” allows the realization of complex 3D lattice forms at the scale of structural steel parts, composed of unitary cells made of slender bars. Nonetheless, the outcomes of this process are still to be properly investigated in terms of their mechanical behavior under various loading conditions. To assess the buckling behavior of WAAM-produced slender bars, extensive effort is requested to properly characterize the main driving aspects, namely the flexural stiffness possibly influenced by mechanical anisotropy induced by the printing process and the influence of the geometrical imperfections. The present work reports the first results of experimental bending tests conducted on vertically printed (i.e. with a fixed build angle equal to 0°) straight dot-by-dot WAAM stainless steel bars, as an initial investigation towards a more comprehensive analysis of the buckling behavior of WAAM slender elements. The results are then interpreted by introducing three approaches of increasing complexity, including two analytical approaches based on a simplified idealization of the real geometry of the bar, and a third approach based on the reconstruction of the real geometry of the bar using advanced numerical simulations and 3D scanning. The three approaches lead to a different appraisal of the influence of the geometrical irregularities on the flexural stiffness of the specimens. The main results of the present study could be utilized to interpret the results of future experimental compressive tests on WAAM slender elements and to develop ad-hoc buckling curves for structural design purposes.

Mechanical properties and failure modes of additively-manufactured chiral metamaterials based on Euclidean tessellations: an experimental and finite element study

PurposeThe “chiralisation” of Euclidean polygonal tessellations is a novel, recent method which has been used to design new auxetic metamaterials with complex topologies and improved geometric versatility over traditional chiral honeycombs. This paper aims to design and manufacture chiral honeycombs representative of four distinct classes of 2D Euclidean tessellations with hexagonal rotational symmetry using fused-deposition additive manufacturing and experimentally analysed the mechanical properties and failure modes of these metamaterials.Design/methodology/approachFinite Element simulations were also used to study the high-strain compressive performance of these systems under both periodic boundary conditions and realistic, finite conditions. Experimental uniaxial compressive loading tests were applied to additively manufactured prototypes and digital image correlation was used to measure the Poisson’s ratio and analyse the deformation behaviour of these systems.FindingsThe results obtained demonstrate that these systems have the ability to exhibit a wide range of Poisson’s ratios (positive, quasi-zero and negative values) and stiffnesses as well as unusual failure modes characterised by a sequential layer-by-layer collapse of specific, non-adjacent ligaments. These findings provide useful insights on the mechanical properties and deformation behaviours of this new class of metamaterials and indicate that these chiral honeycombs could potentially possess anomalous characteristics which are not commonly found in traditional chiral metamaterials based on regular monohedral tilings.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, the authors have analysed for the first time the high strain behaviour and failure modes of chiral metamaterials based on Euclidean multi-polygonal tessellations.

Isotropic cellular structure design strategies based on triply periodic minimal surfaces

Isotropy is a desired characteristic in cellular structures for load bearing and energy absorption applications that must respond uniformly under external loads in all orientations. Triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) cellular structures are attracting much attention for such applications due to their demonstrated high performance, tailorable properties, and open cell architecture. However, TPMS structures usually display stiffness anisotropy. In this work, new design strategies are presented for isotropic TPMS-based cellular structures, revealing a large available design space in terms of relative density and relative stiffness. The first design strategy arranges TPMS-based cells in a Simple-Cubic/Face-Centred Cubic inspired pattern, resulting in reduced elastic anisotropy. Two parametric optimisation approaches involving level-set mid-surface offsetting and the functional grading of relative density are then applied in a second step to eliminate any residual elastic anisotropy. Anisotropy is characterised through finite element analysis using the Zener ratio. Four families of cells are optimised, each based on a different TPMS unit cell, and then additively manufactured using the material extrusion process with polylactic acid. Finally, experimental quasi-static compressive tests are conducted to characterise stiffness, strength, and energy absorption properties. Optimised designs are tested in three crystal orientations ([001], [101] and [111]) and manufactured in three orthogonal print orientations. The Primitive TPMS-based design is the stiffest of the four designs reaching 64.4% of the Hashin-Shtrikman upper bound of bulk modulus at 20% relative density. Experimental results validate all four optimised cell designs for elastic isotropy and indicate that all the cell designs are also isotropic in terms of crushing strength and energy absorption.

Numerical and experimental analysis of inelastic and rate-dependent buckling of thin injection-moulded high-density polyethylene structure

Semi-crystalline polymers is an important group of materials that is used in a vast array of products. In this study, the rate-dependent properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) are investigated, both experimentally and theoretically. Experimental compression testing of a three-dimensional HDPE structure is performed and analysed numerically by use of the finite element method. In addition, an Eulerian constitutive material model for isotropic, semi-crystalline polymers is proposed. The model is able to account for such essential phenomena as strain-rate dependence, work hardening, pressure-dependence of inelastic deformations, and damage. The proposed material model was implemented in Abaqus as a VUMAT, which is an explicit implementation. The material model was calibrated by use of uniaxial tensile tests performed on HDPE dog-bone shaped samples, and the model was further explored by applying the VUMAT implementation to the compression tests of the HDPE structure. The simulation model was able to reproduce the experimental results well, both the uniaxial tests and the compression tests. In particular, the friction present in the compression tests seems to play an important role in determining the buckling mode of the structure.

Analysis of the microstructural connectivity and compressive behavior of particle aggregated silica aerogels

AbstractPorous media such as aerogels can exhibit unique properties including low thermal conductivity, low bulk density, and low sound velocity. However, the limited mechanical properties of aerogels restrict their widespread application. This study focuses on understanding the mechanical behavior of aggregated silica aerogels by investigating their microstructural connectivity and densification mechanisms under uniaxial compression. The interparticle connectivity is generated using the diffusion‐limited cluster–cluster aggregation (DLCA) algorithm, and the particle connections are modeled by beam elements that account for contact interaction. The mechanical response of representative volume elements (RVEs) is analyzed in both linear and nonlinear regimes while applying periodic boundary conditions. The model is correlated with experimental compression test data to validate the simulation results. With increasing compressive strain, load transitions between multiple backbone paths appear in the network structure. Thus, the simulation model provides insight into the compression process. Moreover, the simulation model enables the examination of the influence of various model parameters and facilitates the evaluation of the power–law relationship between the elasticity modulus and porosity of aerogels.

Modeling of Axially Loaded Reinforced Concrete Columns Using the Finite Element Method

The use of numerical methods in solving engineering problems can save both time and costs compared to experiments. In this study, the finite element analysis software ATENA Science was employed to model reinforced concrete columns subjected to axial compressive loads. The columns modeled in this study had previously undergone experimental compression tests. The primary objective of this modeling was to assess the compatibility of ATENA Science simulations with the experimental results. Based on a comparison between the ATENA analysis and experimental data, the ATENA analysis produced results that closely matched the experimental outcomes. In this case, the study specifically focused on the L-D relationship and crack patterns. The alignment of these results is important as it serves as validation, allowing for future modifications to the test specimens as required.

Auxetic mechanical metamaterials with symmetry-broken Re-entrant units

Three innovative auxetic metamaterials with symmetry-broken unit cells and possible applicability in the construction and automotive industries are presented by breaking the mirror symmetries of the conventional re-entrant unit cell. The single symmetry-broken re-entrant (SBR), double symmetry-broken re-entrant (DBR), and hybrid symmetry-broken re-entrant (HBR) structures are fabricated via 3D printing and examined by experimental compression tests and finite element analysis (FEA). The proposed metamaterials exhibit remarkable specific energy absorption (SEA) properties in comparison to the benchmark symmetric-unit honeycomb, with the SBR model showing 103.9 % higher SEA. The novel structures also show superior stability under large compressive deformation, exhibiting excellent auxeticity in comparison to the symmetric-unit model. Parametric investigations reveal that the level of asymmetricity of the unit cells plays a key role in the stability and superior mechanical properties of the proposed metamaterials under compression. One set of parametric studies discovers an HBR structure with a special combination of SBR and DBR units which outperforms the parent structures under compression. Finally, parametric investigation of transverse and inclined compression of the structures indicated superiority of the DBR metamaterial to other structures due to having a deformation mechanism with organized self-contact regions. The DBR metamaterial owns 314 % and 86 % higher SEA rather than the benchmark honeycomb under transverse and inclined compression, respectively.

Evaluation of the mechanical behavior of 3D printed cellular metamaterials with special geometries

The behavior of triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) structures like Gyroid, Schwarz P and Schwarz D created by using the Rhinoceros 6 software was studied through experimental mechanical compression testing. The topologies were printed using additive manufacturing and the DLP technique in cubic volumes, having dimensions of 25x25x25 mm. They had different unit cell arrangements ranging from one unit cell and going up to 8x8x8 unit cells. The overall weight of the samples was kept approximately constant as the increase of cells number would not affect the weight for each topology. Cubes were subjected to static compression testing and elastic constants were established by using the digital image correlation (DIC) method. Failure patterns have been studied by analyzing the cells’ collapse in compression.

42CrMo4 steel flow behavior characterization for high temperature closed dies hot forging in automotive components applications

The application of new forming processes as the high temperature hot forging in closed dies in an industrial environment still requires further investigation due to the lack of flow stress data at these temperatures. To determine the flow behavior of the 42CrMo4 steel at high temperatures hot compression tests have been carried out in a Gleeble® 3800 thermomechanical tester for a temperature range that covers the material behavior from the hot forging until the Nil Ductility Temperature (1250 °C-1375 °C) and for three different orders of magnitudes for the strain rates (0.1 s−1, 1 s−1 and 10 s−1). Then, the Hansel-Spittel model, widely used in automotive commercial software as FORGE®, has been employed to obtain the adequate constants of the constitutive equation for high temperatures.Finally, the newly obtained flow behavior model has been validated by comparison between experimental and simulated compression tests and by the process simulation of a commercial automotive component comparing the results of the simulation with the already made experimental tests in a laboratory cellule of the new technology.Hence, this paper shows the procedure for the determination and the obtention of a new constitutive model for the 42CrMo4 steel flow stress characterization at a temperature range between 1250 °C–1375 °C. This will contribute in the knowledge of material flow stress behavior models at high temperatures and will allow the prediction or simulation of high temperature hot forging in closed dies processes, enhancing the possibility of the application of these technologies from an industrial point of view.

Evaluation of Cell Deformation in Functionally Graded Natural Rubber Foam via Finite Element Analysis

Functionally graded structures from natural rubber foams were constructed and evaluated in this study. The structures were assembled based on density gradient achieved by stacking layers of natural rubber foams with different densities. Both physical and computational structures were constructed and assembled through experimental work and computer-aided design (CAD) modelling, respectively. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulation were conducted on two different assembled structures under compressive deformation mode using Ogden foam hyper-elastic model available in the simulation software package. Experimental result found that the middle section foam with 4/16/4 stacking sequence was deformed significantly compared to that of foam with 16/4/16 stacking sequence. The FEA simulation results indicated that Ogden foam hyper-elastic model is useful in representing deformation at low strain region as the results were in good agreement with those of obtained from the experimental foam compression tests especially for foam with 16/4/16 stacking. The study was able to show that FEA analysis is a good approach to supplement limitation that are encountered by experimental approach in understanding deformation behaviour of functionally graded natural rubber foams.

Buckling resistance of star-battened angle members made of high-strength steel

Recent upwards developments of the power grid requests lead to use of high strength steels (HSS) for the design and construction of higher and heavier loaded steel lattice transmission towers, or to strengthen the existing ones. Usually star-battened sections are preferred for the strengthening of individual members or in case of very high compression loads. Thus, the investigations focus here on the bearing capacity of a star-battened member made of two S460 L250x250x28 angles. The objective was to use a star-battened member made of two S460 L300x300x35 angles with a member length of 4486 mm that will be used in a specific project of 240 m high power transition tower. However, as the request in terms of length capacity cannot be met by the testing labs in Belgium, the studies have concentrated on the profile made of L250x250x28 angles.Firstly, a critical review of the current European normative documents (EN 50341, EN1993-1–3, prEN1993-3) has been made and the buckling resistance of the above-mentioned profile has been evaluated. Then, an experimental compression test has been performed for this member. The test has been complemented by a full non-linear finite element simulation by means of ANSYS software. Experimental, numerical and analytical results have been compared and discussed. Finally, conclusions were drawn considering the design of S460 star-battened members in compression. These studies are part of an ongoing project entitled “New steel” funded by Elia and ArcelorMittal and involving the University of Liège.

Multiscale modeling of functionally graded shell lattice metamaterials for additive manufacturing

AbstractIn this work, an experimentally validated multiscale modeling framework for additively manufactured shell lattice structures with graded parameters is introduced. It is exemplified in application to the Schwarz primitive triply periodic minimal surface microstructure and 3D printing using masked stereolithography of a photopolymer material. The systematic procedure starts with the characterization of a hyperelastic material model for the 3D printed material. This constitutive model is then employed in the finite element simulation of shell lattices at finite deformations. The computational model is validated with experimental compression tests of printed lattice structures. In this way, the numerical convergence behavior and size dependence of the model are assessed, and the range in which it is reasonable to assume linear elastic behavior is determined. Then, representative volume elements subject to periodic boundary conditions are simulated to homogenize the mechanical behavior of Schwarz primitives with varying aspect ratios and shell thicknesses. Subsequently, the parameterized effective linear elasticity tensor of the metamaterial is represented by a physics-augmented neural network model. With this constitutive model, functionally graded shell lattice structures with varying microstructural parameters are simulated as macroscale continua using finite element and differential quadrature methods. The accuracy, reliability and effectiveness of this multiscale simulation approach are investigated and discussed. Overall, it is shown that this experimentally validated multiscale simulation framework, which is likewise applicable to other shell-like metamaterials, facilitates the design of functionally graded structures through additive manufacturing. Graphical Abstract

An improved trabecular bone model based on Voronoi tessellation

Background and objectiveAccurate numerical and physical models of trabecular bone, correctly representing its complexity and variability, could be highly advantageous in the development of e.g. new bone-anchored implants due to the limited availability of real bone. Several Voronoi tessellation-based porous models have been reported in the literature, attempting to mimic the trabecular bone. However, these models have been limited to lattice rod-like structures, which are only structurally representative of very high-porosity trabecular bone. The objective of this study was to provide an improved model, more representative of trabecular bone of different porosity. MethodsBoolean operations were utilized to merge scaled Voronoi cells, thereby introducing different structural patterns, controlling porosity and to some extent anisotropy. The mechanical properties of the structures were evaluated using analytical estimations, numerical simulations, and experimental compression tests of 3D-printed versions of the structures. The capacity of the developed models to represent trabecular bone was assessed by comparing some key geometric features with trabecular bone characterized in previous studies. ResultsThe models gave the possibility to provide pore interconnectivity at relatively low porosities as well as both plate- and rod-like structures. The mechanical properties of the generated models were predictable with numerical simulations as well as an analytical approach. The permeability was found to be better than Sawbones at the same porosity. The models also showed the capability of matching e.g. some vertebral structures for key geometric features. ConclusionsAn improved numerical model for mimicking trabecular bone structures was successfully developed using Voronoi tessellation and Boolean operations. This is expected to benefit both computational and experimental studies by providing a more diverse and representative structure of trabecular bone.

Parametric design, simulation, fabrication, and test of an Origami-core based sandwich composite material

Sandwich panel structures are widely used for light-weight applications due to their high strength and stiffness to density ratios. They are composed of two main parts: the skins and the core. This paper investigates a Miura-ori structural sandwich core with open cells that can be used as an alternative to the existing honeycomb structures. A fully parametric design approach, starting from drawing to Finite Element Analysis (FEA), is presented to efficiently analyze the effect of different geometries on the resulting structure. The geometric model was built based on the kinematic model, which can represent the folding process of the foldcore using the Matlab script. The obtained coordinates of the vertices of the folding pattern were exported to ANSYS APDL where the surfaces were automatically created and meshed. The created mesh was imported to LS-Dyna where explicit compression analyses were performed to evaluate the compression stiffness and strength of the studied geometries. The developed parametric model aims to find the best configuration for a given application, based on three sets of geometric parameters that define the shape of the Miura Ori folding pattern. Therefore, in the range of the studied geometries, the best parameter combination for specific compression stiffness and specific compression strength was found. To evaluate the performance of the foldcore and to validate the FE model, experimental quasi-static compression tests were undertaken with two kinds of specimens (‘strip’ and “panel”), and the measured force-displacement curves were obtained. The result of the test agrees with that of the FE simulations, with an error of <6.6% in the elastic region.

Influence of SiC nanoparticles addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of stir-casted Zn-Al alloy

ABSTRACT This study focuses on the synthesis of a Zn-Al alloy nanocomposite, incorporating varying weight percentages (2, 4, 6, and 8 wt.%) of SiC nanoparticles with an average size of 30 nm. The preparation was carried out using the stir casting technique. Experimental tests, including hardness, compression, and tensile tests, were conducted on both the Zn-Al alloy and its composite. Furthermore, the surface morphology of the materials was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The mechanical properties and microstructure of the composite samples were assessed. The results indicate that an increase in the weight percentage of SiC nanoparticles led to corresponding increases in hardness, compression strength, and ultimate tensile strength of the composite materials. When compared to an unreinforced alloy, nanocomposites reinforced with 2, 4, 6, and 8 wt.% SiC nanoparticles exhibited hardness improvements of 9.1%, 15%, 20.8%, and 30% respectively, as well as increases in ultimate tensile strength of 2.56%, 4.46%, 7.74%, and 12.21%, and compression strength enhancements of 17.5%, 20%, 22.4%, and 31.5% respectively. Notably, the composite sample containing 8% weight of reinforcement consistently demonstrated the highest ratings in terms of hardness, tensile strength, and compression strength. Based on the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results, the nanocomposite alloy exhibits a dendritic morphology, with evenly distributed silicon carbide (SiC) particles embedded within the metal matrix. Furthermore, the interface between the SiC particles and the metal matrix demonstrates a strong bond. As a consequence, the mechanical properties of the fabricated composites were significantly improved.

Load carrying capacity of star‐battened angle members made of S460 steel in compression

AbstractLattice towers are extensively built in Europe and worldwide to serve power transmission purposes. Their members mainly consist of single angle profiles, while built‐up sections, such as star‐battened ones, are usually preferred for the strengthening of individual members or in case of very high compression loads. Recent upwards developments of the power grid requests also lead to the need to use high strength steels (HSS) for the design and construction of higher and heavier loaded steel lattice transmission towers. Within the present paper, investigations conducted on the bearing capacity of a star‐battened member made of two S460 L250×250×28 angles are presented, even if the conclusions may be extended to any angle size and steel grade.Firstly, a critical review of the current European normative documents (EN 50341, EN1993‐1‐3, prEN1993‐3) is made and the buckling resistance of the above‐mentioned member is evaluated. Secondly, the results of an experimental compression test performed on the studied member are presented; these results are complemented by a full non‐linear finite element numerical simulation. All the obtained results are finally compared and discussed.