European Journal of Scientific Research

ISSN 1450-216X Vol.51 No.1 (2011), pp.109-114

EuroJournals Publishing, Inc. 2011
http://www.eurojournals.com/ejsr.htm

Numerical Investigation of Behavior of RHS

Columns Using FE Method

Reza Masoudnia
Department of Civil & Structural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Sealangor, Malaysia
E-mail: reza_masoodnia@yahoo.com

Soroush Amiri
Department of Civil & Structural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Sealangor, Malaysia
E-mail: soroush.amiri@yahoo.com

Mohammad Ali Sadeghian

Department of Civil & Structural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Sealangor, Malaysia
E-mail: sadeghian2000ali@yahoo.com

Abstract

This study dealt with comparing the behavior of steel columns with square hollow
section formed by four welded equal angle sections and two welded channel sections and
box section that are subjected to the axial thrust. Models were analyzed using finite element
simulations and the obtained results were compared with the results calculated based on
BS5950 and experimental tests. The finite element package LUSAS has been used to carry
out non-linear analyses of models in order to study the elastic as well as ultimate load-
carrying capacity of the columns. Effects of parameters of column on the ultimate load
capacity have been examined. The results are presented in the form of load deflection
diagrams and charts. It was concluded that type section has significant influence on the
behavior and strength of the columns.

Keywords: Steel column, Angle section, Channel section, Box section, Finite element
simulation, Nonlinear analysis, Ultimate load capacity

1. Introduction
Costs of construction material especially steel have increased significantly. This has become a great
challenge to the construction field on how to get a more effective and efficient design to save money
and space without sacrificing construction quality and safety. On the other hand, through sensible
specification of tapering, the metal building industry has been capable to strike a balance between
fabrication expense and material cost in order to achieve very economical structural geometries for
primary framing members. In low-rise metal buildings, both the columns and rafters are generally
tapered to place the structural material where it is most needed. However, sufficient research on the
Numerical Investigation of Behavior of RHS Columns Using FE Method 110

structural behavior of tapered members is still in its infancy. Reza Masoudnia and Soroush Amiri
(2010).
The use of square and rectangular hollow sections manufactured by cold-forming has been
increased worldwide as research into their strength and applicability has continued Bjorhovde, (1977);
Kato and Nishiyama, (1981); Kato, (1982); Sherman, (1976). Sections of this type, that have not been
stress relieved by hot finishing processes, usually have enhanced yield strength in their flats as a result
of the cold-forming operations. However, a reduced material ductility can occur due to the strain-
hardening of the steel during the manufacturing operation. In addition, if sections are formed from thin
strip so that the local buckling load and yield load of section in pure compression are approximately
equal, then a rapid drop in load capacity may occur after the maximum load has been reached. Tests of
cold-formed rectangular and square hollow sections with moderately slender faces are described in this
paper.

2. Scope of Investigation and Problem Statement

In the present study, inelastic finite element analyses are used to investigate the behavior of linearly
square hollow section steel columns such as those shown in Figure 1. The columns are subjected to end
loading which causes bending about the major and minor axes in addition to axial compression.

Figure 1: Tapered box column under axial and end moment

3. Finite Element Analysis

The finite element software LUSAS Version 14 was used in this study. The nonlinear analysis was
carried out to predict the ultimate load deflection behavior and ultimate load carrying capacity,Reza
Masoudnia and N.E.Shanmugam(2009).

4. Material Properties
Steel for the finite element models was assumed elastic-perfectly plastic material and identical in
tension and compression. Poissons ratio and Yield stress, 0.3 and 275 MPa were used respectively for
the steel reinforcement in this study, Gere and Timoshenko (1997). Figure 2 indicates the stress-strain
relationship used in this study.
111 Reza Masoudnia, Soroush Amiri and Mohammad Ali Sadeghian

Figure 2: Stress strain curves for steel

5. Finite Element Discretization

Convergence studies have been carried out on the straight column in order to determine a suitable finite
element model for the analysis. In the present convergence study of straight column, the results
corresponding to five different meshes are shown in Figure 3. It can be perceived from figure 3 that
there is no difference between the models with 11000 and 32000 elements. Consequently, finite
element analysis based on 11000 elements is sufficient to predict the ultimate load capacity and
behavior of beams explored in the current study.
Figure 3: Results from convergence study

6. Results and Discussion

6.1. Verification Study
Finite element verification was done for the 2 prismatic thin-walled box columns. A comparison was
carried out between the design code BS5950 PART-1 and the results of the finite element model (PFE)
to verify the accuracy of the finite element package. The summary of the obtained results is shown in
Table 1.

Table1: Comparison of design practice and FE results

Design Code
b/t ratio Length (m) P Euler (Kn) FE (PFE) (kN)
Part 1 (kN)
20 4 6754 2017 2044 0.99
50 4 2696 661 633 0.80
Numerical Investigation of Behavior of RHS Columns Using FE Method 112

6.2. Effect of Different Profile Sections

The verification study showed that the finite element model is capable to predict the behavior of
prismatic thin-walled box columns with sufficient accuracy. Hence, the finite element method was
employed to investigate the effects of using the sections on ultimate load carrying capacity of steel
column. Nine steel box column specimens including 3 uniform steel box columns with box section and
3 uniform steel box columns with channel section and 3 uniform steel box columns with angle section
were tested to failure under axial compression. The specimen details are provided in table 2 and figure
4, and the column test specimens are labeled such that the shape of the steel tube could be identified
form the label. For example, the labels B-L2-T4, C-L2-T4 and L-L2-T4 define the following
specimens: The first letter indicates the shape section used to provide the rectangular steel tube, where
B is the Box section and C is the Channel section and L is the Angle section in group uniform columns.
The following notations L2 and T4 represent the taper slope, length of column and thickness of
plate respectively where L2 indicates that the tested column had 2 meter length and T4 indicates
thickness of steel box.

Table2: Data of specimens steel box columns

No. Specimen Length (m) Thickness of plate (mm) U.L.(kN)

1 B-L2-T4 2 4 5755
2 B-L3-T4 3 4 5232
3 B-L4-T4 4 4 4800
4 C-L2-T4 2 4 5557
5 C-L3-T4 3 4 5002
6 C-L4-T4 4 4 4525
7 L-L2-T4 2 4 5123
8 L-L3-T4 3 4 4512
9 L-L4-T4 4 4 4021
10 B-L2-T8 2 8 14042
11 B-L3-T8 3 8 12766
12 B-L4-T8 4 8 11712
13 C-L2-T8 2 8 13980
14 C-L3-T8 3 8 12490
15 C-L4-T8 4 8 11001
16 L-L2-T8 2 8 13008
17 L-L3-T8 3 8 12032
18 L-L4-T8 4 8 10088

Figure 4: Taper types

113 Reza Masoudnia, Soroush Amiri and Mohammad Ali Sadeghian

The load deflection behavior of columns subjected to axial load is shown in figures 5.1 to 5.3.
The load deflection curves were generated considering the taper slope, thickness of plate and length
effect.
The Figures show Maximum deflection at the free end plotted against the applied load in the
figure for columns of 2m, 3m and 4m long with variety of taper angles and thickness plates. During the
initial stages of loading, all the curves show a linear relationship between the load and the lateral-
deflection. As the applied load increases and exceeds the critical buckling load, the columns enter the
post-buckling range in which the resistance to applied is predominantly governed by nonlinear
behavior. At the ultimate load, the columns failed and lost their abilities to carry further loading.

Figure 5.1: Load-deflection plots for column with 2m long

Figure 5.2: Load-deflection plots for column with 3m long

Figure 5.3: Load-deflection plots for column with 4m long

Numerical Investigation of Behavior of RHS Columns Using FE Method 114

Figure 6 shows the ultimate load carrying capacity of columns in relation to thickness of plate
and length of column and section profiles. The rate of decreasing ultimate load of each column
category of top chart can be seen in Figure 6. In this way, the effect of altering the thickness on
ultimate load of columns is obvious.

Figure 6: Ultimate axial loads for uniform steel columns

Box Channel Box Channel

Angle Angle

7. Conclusion
Finite Element analysis on the behavior and ultimate load capacity of the steel columns has been
described in this paper. Verification of finite element analyses of the uniform steel box columns was
carried out and compared with part 1 results of the BS5950. The proposed three dimensional finite
element modeling using LUSAS software is sufficiently accurate in predicting the ultimate load
capacity and behavior of the different steel box columns. The ultimate load capacity and the behavior
of steel columns with different section profiles, lengths and steel plate thicknesses have been
investigated and studied by the use of finite element analysis. It is also concluded from the study that
different section profiles have a severe effect on the lateral stiffness of structural members.

References
[1] Gere and Timoshenko, Mechanics of Materials, Fifth Edition, 1997.
[2] Bjorhovde, R. (1977). Strength and behavior of cold-formed HSS columns. Structural
Engineering Report No. 65, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Alberta, Canda,
Dec.
[3] Kato, B. (1982). Cold formed welded steel tubular members. Axially compressed structures,
R. Narayanan, ed., Applied Science Publishers, London, England, 149-180
[4] Kato, B. and Nishiyama, I. (1981). Inelastic local buckling of cold-formed circular hollow
section and square hollow section members. Japan US Seminar on Inelastic Instability of
steel Structural Elements, Tokyo
[5] Sherman, D. R. (1976). Tentative criteria for structural applications of steel tubing and pipe,
American Iron and Steel Institute, Washington, D.C.
[6] Reza Masoudnia, Soroush Amiri and Mohammad Ali Sadeghian (2010). Uniform and Tapered
Steel Box Columns: A Close Look at their Structure, European Journal of Scientific Research,
London, Volume 47, Issue 4, pp.612-617
[7] Reza Masoudnia and N.E.Shanmugam (2009). Behaviour of taper box columns, Master Thesis,
University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Selangor Malaysia.