Elliptical hollow section beam-columns

Abstract

The structural behaviour of Elliptical Hollow Section (EHS) beam-columns is studied in this paper. Results of previous research on beam-columns at the cross-sectional level are summarised, while for the investigation of global instability, new experimental and numerical data are presented and analysed. Thirty three EHS beam-columns, with a constant cross-sectional aspect ratio of two, were tested and numerical models were validated based on the test results. Further parametric studies considering a range of aspect ratios and slenderness ratios were also performed. Design rules covering instabilities in elliptical hollow section beamcolumns have been assessed based on the experimental and numerical findings. It was found that existing design expressions for hot-finished hollow section beam-columns are also applicable to EHS members. © 2012 Taylor & Francis Group, London.