Welded Continuous Frames and Their Components. Tests on A36 and A441 Steel Beam-Columns

摘要

The report describes an experimental study of five as-rolled 8WF31 steel beam-columns which was performed in order to determine their load-deformation behavior. The beam-column ends were essentially fixed about their weak axis and pinned about their strong axis. Warping of the end section was fully restrained by end plates. Endmoments were applied in the plane of the web in order to cause bending about the strong axis and were varied independently of the zxial load. Two of the beam-columns were ASTM A441 steel and three were ASTM A36 steel. The principal test variables were the axial load, the slenderness ratio, the grade of steel, the absence or presence of lateral bracing, and the absence or presence of restraining beams. The testing program, the test setup, and procedures used during testing are described. The effects of axial load and lateral bracing are discussed. The results are then compared with 'in-plane' bending theory and inelastic lateral-torsional buckling theory. Finally the experimental results are compared with a commonly used empirical interaction equation.