Effect of base-plate types on system behaviour in down-aisle pallet rack systems

• Published in: Journal of constructional steel research 2022-11, Vol.198, p.107584, Article 107584
• Main Authors: Çelik, İlyas Devran, Yildiz, İbrahim, Arslan, Kılıç Yasin, Öztürk, Yusuf, Efe, Mehmet Erkan, Kocaman, Tevfik Burak
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Base plate; Cold formed steels; Down-aisle; Pallet racking systems; Pushover test; q-factor
• ISSN: 0143-974X; 1873-5983
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcsr.2022.107584

In rack systems, due to operational necessities, bracing of the system is limited in down-aisle direction. In addition, generally thin-walled components with single symmetry axis are used. Therefore, eccentric conditions may occur in the structure, which might affect system stability. There are studies in the literature about the stability aspect of these systems. In terms of stability, use of bracings and support conditions are prominent in rack systems. In this paper, effect of different base-plate types on system behaviour and energy dissipation capacity for low-rise rack systems with different bracing conditions was investigated. In this context, tests and numerical analyses were performed. Numerical models are validated with experimental test. In the test, static pushover has been performed for three two-storey full scaled models with different bracing conditions. For numerical analysis, the static pushover test is performed with the addition of base-plate type changes. In numerical analysis, three types of base-plates are employed with three bracing cases. In this context, it was detected that bracings in the system provide stiffness to the system, however in single-modular rack systems such as the subject of our study, the external bracings cause torsional effects. Therefore, beneficial effect of the bracings can not be utilised efficiently. However, it was also detected that as the rotational stiffness of the base supports increase, torsional effects are restricted. Therefore, it can be suggested that in low-rise, single modular rack systems, use of base-plates with higher stiffness value may provide better system stability as well as more economic solutions. •Base plates with relatively higher stiffness properties, has positively affected the system capacity.•Bracing elements affect the local failure conditions in their connection zones.•Base plate efectiveness is hindered, when bracings with relatively higher stiffness properties are used.