Experimental investigation of cold-rolled aluminium alloy 5052 columns subjected to distortional buckling

Abstract

The behaviour and strength of cold-formed columns are mainly influenced by local, distortional and global buckling or coupled instability phenomena. Distortional buckling may govern the column strengths of open cold-formed sections with intermediate lengths. The objective of this paper is to investigate the distortional mode and ultimate capacity of cold-rolled aluminium channel sections in compression. A total of nine columns with three different cross-sectional geometries were performed at the University of Sydney. These commercially available cross-sections were fabricated by using the cold-rolling process instead of extrusion. The geometric imperfections of channel specimens were measured using a specially designed measuring rig. Tensile coupon tests were also conducted from the flat portions and the corner regions of the cross-sections to determine the material properties. The specimens were tested in axial compression between two fixed ends. The ultimate loads and observed failure modes in the column tests are reported.