FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS AND DESIGN METHOD STUDY ON THE INTERACTIVE BUCKLING OF WELDED STEEL MEMBERS UNDER AXIAL COMPRESSION

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the interaction strength between local and overall budding of welded steel members under axial compression. Finite element models are developed to analyze the ultimate interactive buckling strengths of 7 welded I-section and 11 box section members under axial compression, considering the influence of initial imperfections. A comparison of the ultimate loading capacities Of all specimens by finite element analysis and tests is included. It shows that finite element models proposed in this paper can accurately simulate various imperfections of members, and analyze the ultimate interactive budding strengths of welded steel members under axial compression. A comparison of the results of tests and finite element analysis with the design results by AISC 360-10, Eurocode 3, AS 4100, BS 5950 and Chen method is presented. The result is that Eurocode 3, BS 5950 and Chen method are recommended for the design of 690MPa and 460MPa box section members, and Eurocode 3 and BS 5950 are recommended for the design of 350MPa I-section members.