Behaviour of aluminium alloy plain and lipped channel columns

• Published in: Thin-walled structures 2019-02, Vol.135, p.306-316
• Main Authors: Zhu, Ji-Hua, Li, Zi-qi, Su, Mei-Ni, Young, Ben
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aluminium alloys; Buckling; Channel section; Column; Continuous strength method; Direct strength method; Reliability analyses; Structure design
• ISSN: 0263-8231; 1879-3223
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tws.2018.11.010

Aluminium alloys have high strength-to-weight ratios and great durability; thus, they have been extensively used in structural applications. Channel sections have a smooth and aesthetically pleasing line shape, good integrity, and are easy to connect. An experimental program using 28 specimens and a numerical study that generated 100 results were conducted on aluminium alloy columns of plain and lipped channel sections. The nominal length of columns ranged from 300 mm to 3000 mm. The generated 128 results were evaluated with respect to the existing design specifications from America, Australia/New Zealand, Europe and China. Furthermore, the direct strength method (DSM) and the continuous strength method (CSM) were also used to predict results for comparison. The results showed that the design specifications produced conservative compression strengths of aluminium alloy columns of both plain and lipped channel sections. The CSM provided more accurate and consistent design strengths. In addition, the reliability levels of the four international design codes, DSM and CSM for channel sections of aluminium alloy columns were also evaluated. •Aluminium alloy column tests on plain and lipped Channel sections were performed.•Finite element models were developed and validated against the test results.•A parametric study on cross-section slendernesses and column length was performed.•Compression resistances predicted by the design specifications are overly conservative.•The CSM and DSM provide more accurate and consistent predictions.