The assessment of residual stresses in welded high strength steel box sections

Much work on the investigation of the magnitude and distribution of residual stresses in mild carbon steel sections have been made previously. However, limited efforts have been put on residual stress measurements of high strength steel sections. The differences of stress–strain curves and high-temperature material properties between the high strength steel and mild carbon steel demands a necessary study of the residual stresses in high strength steel welded sections. In the present study, three box columns fabricated from Q460 steel plates of 11 mm in thickness with different details were used for the examination. Both sectioning and hole-drilling methods are adopted for the measurement. The measured residual stress distributions of three different box sections are presented, and the corresponding simplified residual stress pattern is proposed. By comparing with the residual stress patterns for mild carbon steel, it is found that the box section fabricated from HSS plates has the lower compressive residual stress ratio. The differences in the measurement by using sectioning and hole-drilling methods are also compared.     

对焊接高强度钢材箱型构件中残余应力的评估

关于残余应力在低碳型钢中的大小和分布之前已经进行了很多研究,然而,对于高强度型钢中残余应力的测定研究甚少。高强钢和低碳钢在应力-应变曲线及高温材料特性上的差异是研究高强度焊接型钢残余应力的必要研究方面。在当前研究中,采用以厚11mm的Q460钢板焊接而成、不同的3个箱型柱做试验。切条法和钻孔法都可用于测量。最终将可看到测定的残余应力在3个箱型柱中的分布状况及其相应的简易残余应力分布图。与低碳钢的残余应力图相比较,可以发现,由高强度钢板焊接而成的箱型柱有较低的残余应力比。同时也对采用不同测定方法(切条法、钻孔法)所造成的差异进行了比较。     

Residual stresses in cold-rolled stainless steel hollow sections

Stainless steel exhibits a pronounced response to cold-work and heat input. As a result, the behaviour of structural stainless steel sections, as influenced by strength, ductility and residual stress presence, is sensitive to the precise means by which the sections are produced. This paper explores the presence and influence of residual stresses in cold-rolled stainless steel box sections using experimental and numerical techniques. In previous studies, residual stress magnitudes have been inferred from surface strain measurements and an assumed through-thickness stress distribution. In the present study, through-thickness residual stresses in cold-rolled stainless steel box sections have been measured directly by means of X-ray diffraction and their effect on structural behaviour has been carefully assessed through detailed non-linear numerical modelling. Geometric imperfections, flat and corner material properties and the average compressive response of stainless steel box sections were also examined experimentally and the results have been fully reported. From the X-ray diffraction measurements, it was concluded that the influence of through-thickness (bending) residual stresses in cold-rolled stainless steel box sections could be effectively represented by a rectangular stress block distribution. The developed ABAQUS numerical models included features such as non-linear material stress-strain characteristics, initial geometric imperfections, residual stresses (membrane and bending) and enhanced strength corner properties. The residual stresses, together with the corresponding plastic strains, were included in the FE models by means of the SIGINI and HARDINI Fortran subroutines. Of the two residual stress components, the bending residual stresses were found to be larger in magnitude and of greater (often positive) influence on the structural behaviour of thin-walled cold-formed stainless steel sections.     

Residual stress analysis of structural stainless steel sections

The magnitude and distribution of residual stresses in structural carbon steel sections have been thoroughly investigated. However, few residual stress measurements have been made on structural stainless steel sections. Stainless steel has differing material stress-strain characteristics and thermal properties to carbon steel, both of which influence the formation of residual stresses. This suggests that established carbon steel residual stress models may not be appropriate for stainless steel. With increased use of stainless steel in load bearing applications, it is important to establish the residual stresses that exist within structural members. An experimental program to quantify the residual stresses in stainless steel sections from three different production routes has therefore been carried out. Comprehensive residual stress distributions have been obtained for three hot rolled angles, eight press braked angles and seven cold rolled box sections, with a total of over 800 readings taken. This paper presents the experimental techniques implemented and the residual stress distributions obtained as well as discussing the assumptions commonly made regarding through thickness residual stress variations. In the hot rolled and press braked sections, residual stresses were typically found to be below 20% of the material 0.2% proof stress, though for the cold rolled box sections, whilst membrane residual stresses were relatively low, bending residual stresses were found to be between 40% and 70% of the material 0.2% proof stress.     

Strength enhancement of the corner regions of stainless steel cross-sections

Stainless steel strain hardens to a considerably greater extent than carbon steel resulting in significant changes in material behaviour during a cold-forming process. This paper presents a method for predicting the enhanced strength of the corner regions of cold-formed stainless steel sections. All available test results have been collected and used to devise generalised models to predict strength enhancements for different cold-forming processes.     

高强钢焊接箱形柱受力性能研究(Ⅰ)：残余应力统一分布模型

现有高强钢焊接箱形截面残余应力分布模型仅适用于特定强度等级的高强钢,尚缺乏适用于不同强度等级高强钢的残余应力分布模型。为此,基于不同强度等级高强钢焊接箱形截面残余应力的已有试验,研究钢材的强度等级、板件厚度及宽厚比对残余应力分布和峰值的影响,提出不同强度等级高强钢焊接箱形截面的残余应力统一分布模型。该模型采用多重阶梯函数形状,适用于屈服强度460~960MPa的焊接箱形截面,且满足每个板件自平衡条件和对称性。将残余应力统一分布模型的形状、数值和已有试验结果进行对比,证明该模型的准确性。在基于纤维模型的极限承载力数值分析中,分别采用残余应力统一分布模型和已有分布模型计算高强钢焊接箱形柱的受压承载力,并将各自得到的极限承载力与已有试验结果进行对比。研究结果表明,采用残余应力统一分布模型后,不同等级高强钢焊接箱形柱的纤维模型计算能更准确地预测其极限承载力。残余应力统一分布模型可为不同等级高强钢焊接箱形柱的二阶非弹性分析提供参考。     

厚壁矩形中空截面冷弯型钢纵向残余应力试验研究

对壁厚超过6mm的厚壁矩形中空截面冷弯型钢进行试验研究。矩形中空截面采用两种成型方法:直接法(直接形成矩形)和间接法(先形成圆形,再转换成矩形)。采用两种方法(钻孔法和X射线衍射法)计算纵向残余应力的大小和分布。研究了沿截面周长方向和厚度方向的纵向残余应力的大小和分布。结果显示,沿厚度方向的纵向残余应力在外表面为拉力,内表面为压力,表现出类似于正弦曲线的非线性特性。此外,讨论了厚壁矩形中空截面冷弯型钢的成型过程和截面几何尺寸对残余应力的大小和分布的影响。最后,针对厚壁矩形中空截面冷弯型钢两种不同成型过程,分别给出相应的残余应力分布情况。     

冷成型双相不锈钢截面材料特性

给出了6个不同截面冷成型双相不锈钢的特性,其中2个为圆形中空截面,4个为矩形中空截面。试样为冷轧双相不锈钢带。确定方形和矩形中空截面高强度冷成型双相不锈钢的材料特性。对每种型材的薄弱和转角处进行拉伸试验,由此测量每种型材的弹性模量、0.2%弹性极限、1.0%弹性极限、抗张强度、断裂延伸率和Ramberg-Osgood参数(n)。通过短柱试验获得冷轧状态全截面的材料特性。测量6种型材的初始局部几何缺陷,绘制每种型材含初始几何缺陷的横截面图。采用断面法测量150×50×2.5截面的残余应力,测量并绘制截面上薄膜屈曲残余应力分布图。此外,给出适用于短柱的有限元模型,并与试验结果进行对比。将不锈钢短柱的试验强度与美国规范、澳大利亚/新西兰规范和欧洲规范的设计强度进行对比。总体看来,三种规范的计算结果都较为保守,其中欧洲规范的计算结果最为保守。     

冷成型钢截面残余应力的有限元分析

冷成型钢截面上的残余应力可能是决定其性能和强度的一个重要因素。通过破坏性的试验方法对残余应力进行测量不仅费时,精度也很有限。本文提出了一个预测压弯成形薄壁截面上残余应力的有限元方法,该方法克服了实验室测量的缺点,提供了一个有力的工具来考察不同的成形参数对残余应力的大小和分布的影响,并因此可以对这些成形参数进行优化。在该方法中,通过解析的方法考虑了成卷和开卷的影响,并将得到的残余应力作为随后的冷弯过程有限元模拟的初始应力。经比较,本文方法的数值结果和实验室实测值吻合很好,证明了该方法的可行性和精度。本文方法给出了整个截面残余应力的分布和沿壁厚的变化,并解释了两个相同截面中残余应力可能会存在很大差别的原因。     

Experimental investigation on longitudinal residual stresses for cold-formed thick-walled square hollow sections

This paper presents the experimental study on cold-formed thick-walled square hollow sections with thickness greater than 6 mm. Square hollow sections are formed using two different forming processes of a “direct square” way and an “indirect way from circular to square”. Two test methods of the hole-drilling method and the X-ray diffraction method are used to measure the magnitudes and distributions of longitudinal residual stresses. The magnitudes and distributions of longitudinal residual stresses along the section perimeter as well as along the section thickness are obtained in this study. It is shown that the longitudinal residual stresses are in tension at outer surface and in compression at inner surface, and present nonlinear distributions, which seems like “sine” curve along the section thickness. Furthermore, the effects of forming process and cross-section geometry on the magnitudes and distributions of longitudinal residual stresses for cold-formed thick-walled square hollow sections are discussed. At last, two distribution patterns have been proposed for the square hollow sections formed using two different forming processes, respectively.     

Residual stress distributions in welded stainless steel sections

Residual stress magnitudes and distributions in structural stainless steel built-up sections have been comprehensively investigated in this study. A total of 18 test specimens were fabricated from hot-rolled stainless steel plates by means of shielded metal arc welding (SMAW). Two grades of stainless steel were considered, namely the austenitic grade EN 1.4301 and the duplex grade EN 1.4462. Using the sectioning method, the test specimens were divided into strips. The residual stresses were then computed by multiplying the strains relieved during sectioning by the measured Young׳s moduli determined from tensile and compressive coupon tests. Residual stress distributions were obtained for 10 I-sections, four square hollow sections (SHS) and four rectangular hollow sections (RHS). Peak tensile residual stresses reached around 80% and 60% of the material 0.2% proof stress for grades EN 1.4301 and EN 1.4462, respectively. Based upon the test data, simplified predictive models for residual stress distributions in stainless steel built-up I-sections and box sections were developed. Following comparisons with other available residual stress test data, the applicability of the proposed models was also extended to other stainless steel alloys. The proposed residual stress patterns are suitable for inclusion in future analytical models and numerical simulations of stainless steel built-up sections.     

A theoretical investigation of the column behaviour of cold-formed square hollow sections

An experimental programme investigating the column behaviour of four sizes of square hollow section was undertaken at the University of Sydney using Australian produced cold-formed square hollow sections. Stub and pinended column tests were performed and detailed measurements of the yield stress and residual stress taken around the sections.

A large deflection elastic—plastic finite strip analysis including the measured distributions of yield stress and residual stress is used to investigate the behaviour of the stub and pin-ended columns. In particular, the influence of the measured through thickness residual stress components on the ultimate load and behaviour of the square hollow section columns is demonstrated. The analysis accounts for plate geometric imperfections, the variation of yield stress around a section, the stress—strain characteristics of the material forming the section and the highly complex patterns of residual stress produced by the cold-forming process. Comparison of the analytical results with the test results is provided.     

Comparative experimental study of hot-rolled and cold-formed rectangular hollow sections

Square and rectangular hollow sections are generally produced either by hot-rolling or cold-forming. Cross-sections of nominally similar geometries, but from the two different production routes may vary significantly in terms of their general material properties, geometric imperfections, residual stresses, corner geometry and material response and general structural behaviour and load-carrying capacity. In this paper, an experimental programme comprising tensile coupon tests on flat and corner material, measurements of geometric imperfections and residual stresses, stub column tests and simple and continuous beam tests is described. The results of the tests have been combined with other available test data on square and rectangular hollow sections and analysed. Enhancements in yield and ultimate strengths, beyond those quoted in the respective mill certificates, were observed in the corner regions of the cold-formed sections—these are caused by cold-working of the material during production, and predictive models have been proposed. Initial geometric imperfections were generally low in both the hot-rolled and cold-formed sections, with larger imperfections emerging towards the ends of the cold-formed members—these were attributed largely to the release of through thickness residual stresses, which were themselves quantified. The results of the stub column and simple bending tests were used to assess the current slenderness limits given in Eurocode 3, including the possible dependency on production route, whilst the results of the continuous beam tests were evaluated with reference to the assumptions typically made in plastic analysis and design. Current slenderness limits, assessed on the basis of bending tests, appear appropriate, though the Class 3 slenderness limit, assessed on the basis of compression tests, seems optimistic. Of the features investigated, strain hardening characteristics of the material were identified as being primarily responsible for the differences in structural behaviour between hot-rolled and cold-formed sections.     

The influence of the fabrication process on the buckling of thin-walled steel box sections

Steel box sections are usually fabricated from flat plates which are welded at the corners. The welding process can introduce residual stresses and geometric imperfections into the sections which can influence their strength. For some thin-walled sections, large periodic geometric imperfections have been observed in manufactured sections. Subsequent investigations have indicated that the imperfections are in fact buckling deformations i.e. the box section has buckled due to welding residual stresses prior to any application of external load. The welding procedure and the behaviour of the box sections under load has been modelled using a finite element analysis that accounts for both geometric and material non-linearities. Tests have been carried out on box sections with a range of width to thickness ratios for the plate elements. Modelling has been shown to give good correlation with the test results. The conditions for buckling to take place as a result of the welding process have been established. A design method has been proposed.     

Flexural strength of cold-formed steel built-up box sections

Presented in this paper is a study involving finite element analysis to investigate the flexural strength of built-up box sections which have been extensively used in residential and commercial construction in North America. In the North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members [CSA, North American specification for the design of cold-formed steel structural members, S136, Canadian Standard Association, 2002], there is no guideline or design equation to calculate the flexural strength of this type of section. Both the Lightweight Steel Framing Design Manual [CSA, Supplement 2004 to the North American specification for the design of cold-formed steel structural members, S136, Canadian Standard Association, 2004] and Cold-Formed Steel Framing Design Guide [AISI, Cold-formed steel framing design guide", American Iron and Steel Institute, 1st ed., 2002, 2nd ed., 2007] have recommended that the flexural strength and moment of inertia of the built-up sections to be taken as the sum of the two components based on deflection compatibility of the components. However, this design approximation has yet to be justified by experimental or numerical study especially for the cases of eccentric and concentric loading. In this study, the proposed finite element model of the built-up box sections was validated with the experimental tests carried out by Beshara and Lawson [Beshara B, Lawson TJ. Built-up girder screw connection variation flexural tests, Internal Report, Dietrich Design Group, 2002]. The flexural strengths obtained from the finite element analysis were then compared with the nominal strength evaluated based on the current design method in order to assess its suitability. Parametric studies were carried out for more than 30 specimens to identify factors affecting the flexural strength of cold-formed steel built-up box sections. A recommendation is made for current design practice of evaluating the flexural strength of the box section when subjected to eccentric loading.     

高强度钢材轴心受压构件的受力性能

介绍了高强度钢材在实际工程中的应用状况,基于高强度钢材焊接截面钢柱轴心受压试验结果,给出了高强度钢材焊接箱形和焊接I形截面的残余应力分布,并结合多个国家的钢结构设计规范对试验结果进行了分析计算、讨论和比较,对高强度钢材焊接截面轴心受压构件整体稳定和局部稳定受力性能进行了研究。研究结果表明,焊接箱形和焊接I形(绕弱轴,翼缘为焰切边)两种截面(板厚<40mm)的高强度钢材(屈服强度690MPa)轴心受压构件的整体稳定系数高于普通钢材钢构件,可以划分为b类截面;而翼缘的局部稳定性能没有明显提高,翼缘宽厚比限值仍可采用我国现行钢结构规范的规定值。     

Tests of cold-formed high strength stainless steel compression members

The paper describes a test program on cold-formed high strength stainless steel compression members. The duplex stainless steel having the yield stress and tensile strength up to 750 and 850 MPa, respectively, was investigated. The material properties of the test specimens were obtained from tensile coupon and stub column tests. The test specimens were cold-rolled into square and rectangular hollow sections. The specimens were compressed between fixed ends at different column lengths. The initial overall geometric imperfections of the column specimens were measured. The strength and behaviour of cold-formed high strength stainless steel columns were investigated. The test strengths were compared with the design strengths predicted using the American, Australian/New Zealand and European specifications for cold-formed stainless steel structures. Generally, it is shown that the design strengths predicted by the three specifications are conservative for the cold-formed high strength stainless steel columns. In addition, reliability analysis was performed to evaluate the current design rules.     

Structural performance of cold-formed high strength stainless steel columns

This paper describes an accurate finite element model for the structural performance of cold-formed high strength stainless steel columns. The finite element analysis was conducted on duplex stainless steel columns having square and rectangular hollow sections. The columns were compressed between fixed ends at different column lengths. The effects of initial local and overall geometric imperfections have been taken into consideration in the finite element model. The material nonlinearity of the flat and corner portions of the high strength stainless steel sections were carefully incorporated in the model. The column strengths and failure modes as well as the load-shortening curves of the columns were obtained using the finite element model. Furthermore, the effect of residual stresses in the columns was studied. The nonlinear finite element model was verified against experimental results. An extensive parametric study was carried out using the verified finite element model to study the effects of cross-section geometries on the strength and behaviour of cold-formed high strength stainless steel columns. The column strengths predicted from the parametric study were compared with the design strengths calculated using the American Specification, Australian/New Zealand Standard and European Code for cold-formed stainless steel structures. The results of the parametric study showed that the design rules specified in the American, Australian/New Zealand and European specifications are generally conservative for cold-formed high strength stainless steel square and rectangular hollow section columns, but unconservative for some of the short columns.     

Compression tests of high strength cold-formed steel channels with buckling interaction

This paper describes a series of compression tests conducted on cold-formed simple lipped channels and lipped channels with intermediate stiffeners in the flanges and web fabricated from high strength steel plate of thickness 0.6 and 0.8 mm with the nominal yield stress 560 MPa. A range of lengths of lipped channel sections were tested to failure with both ends of the column fixed with a special capping to prevent local failure of column ends and influence from the shift of centroid during testing. The high strength cold-formed steel channel sections of intermediate lengths generally displayed a significant interaction between local and distortional buckling. A noticeable interaction between local and overall buckling was also observed for the long columns. A significant post-buckling strength reserve was shown for those sections that showed interaction between local and distortional or overall buckling. Simple design strength formulas in the Direct Strength Method for the thin-walled cold-formed steel sections failing in the mixed mode of local and distortional buckling have been studied. The strengths predicted by the strength formulas proposed are compared with the test results for verification.     

Lateral buckling strengths of cold-formed rectangular hollow sections

Code rules for designing steel beams against lateral buckling which are based on data for hot-rolled I-sections are unnecessarily conservative when used for cold formed rectangular hollow section beams.Cold-formed rectangular hollow section beams have different stress-strain curves, residual stresses, and crookedness and twist. The effects of residual stress on the inelastic buckling of I-section beams are not nearly as pronounced for hollow sections with two webs, while the strengthening effects of pre-buckling deflections are greater for hollow sections. Simplistic code rules for top flange loading are very conservative when applied to hollow sections.This paper reviews elastic lateral buckling behaviour and the strength rules used to design steel beams. It develops realistic models for cold-formed rectangular hollow beams which are analysed to predict the effects of moment distribution, load height and yield stress on their strengths. The results of the analyses are used to develop improved design rules which remove much of the conservatism of present design rules.