The Use of Stainless Steel in Structures: Columns under Compression

Abstract

The analysis of the limit states of load-bearing stainless steel structural members requires the inclusion of material non-linearity in the calculations of resistance and deformation. The analysis of slender columns under compression requires the inclusion of both material and geometric non-linearity, which increases demands on the numerical analysis and scientific computing. This paper focuses on some aspects of the numerical analysis of the compressive force of columns with initial imperfections, which may have a significant influence on the results of the analysis of the safety and usability of load-bearing structures with slender members. The increased accuracy of results of experimental research on the material characteristics of stainless steel is discussed in connection with the properties of carbon steel and the application of numerical analysis in stochastic computational models.