Stainless Steel I-Section Beam-Columns Behavior

Abstract

The interaction between axial compression and major axis bending of welded stainless steel columns is being investigated at the Czech Technical University in Prague. This paper describes numerical modeling of welded stainless steel I-profile members loaded by a combined load (axial force and bending moment). The detailed finite element (FE) models were developed in software ABAQUS and subsequently validated against test results to simulate the interactive behavior and predict the ultimate capacity. The initial geometric imperfection modes, and amplitudes (global and local), and residual stress were considered to enhance the models accuracy. Material tensile coupon tests were also conducted. The aim of this work is to investigate the current design procedures for stainless steel beam-column members and compare them to the numerical results.