Influence of spacers on ultimate strength of intermediate length thin walled columns

The influence of spacers on the behaviour and ultimate capacity of intermediate length CFS open section columns under axial compression is investigated in this paper. The focus of the research lies in the cross-section predominantly, failed by distortional buckling. This paper made an attempt to either delay or eliminate the distortional buckling mode by the introduction of transverse elements referred herein as spacers. The cross-sections investigated have been selected by performing the elastic buckling analysis using CUFSM software. The test program considered three different columns having slenderness ratios of 35, 50 & 60. The test program consisted of 14 pure axial compression tests under hinged-hinged end condition. Models have been analysed using finite element simulations and the obtained results are compared with the experimental tests. The finite element package ABAQUS has been used to carry out non-linear analyses of the columns. The finite element model incorporates material, geometric non-linearities and initial geometric imperfection of the specimens. The work involves a wide parametric study in the column with spacers of varying depth and number of spacers. The results obtained from the study shows that the depth and number of spacers have significant influence on the behaviour and strength of the columns. Based on the nonlinear regression analysis the design equation is proposed for the selected section.