Full Text Available

Note: Clicking the button above will open the full text document at the original institutional repository in a new window.

Mechanical behaviour of steel hollow section columns subjected to damage – experimental study and finite element modelling

Hollow Steel Sections (HSS) are integral components in structural and architectural applications, valued for their torsional resistance, versatility, and aesthetic appeal. These welded steel tubes are typically manufactured off-site and transported to construction sites. However, during transportati...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Larknath, Bijal
Other Authors: Mudenda, Kenny
Format: Thesis
Language:English
English
Published: Department of Civil Engineering 2025
Subjects:
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1867613492833419265
access_status_str Open Access
author Larknath, Bijal
author2 Mudenda, Kenny
author_browse Larknath, Bijal
Mudenda, Kenny
author_facet Mudenda, Kenny
Larknath, Bijal
author_sort Larknath, Bijal
collection Thesis
description Hollow Steel Sections (HSS) are integral components in structural and architectural applications, valued for their torsional resistance, versatility, and aesthetic appeal. These welded steel tubes are typically manufactured off-site and transported to construction sites. However, during transportation, HSS members may incur damage, necessitating replacement in accordance with Sans 2001-CS1 (4.6.1.2) code specifications. This code outlines the criteria and procedures for assessing and replacing damaged HSS members, ensuring adherence to structural safety standards. This study aimed to assess the behaviour of HSS in response to damage. The objective was to determine the acceptability of commercially available damaged HSS structural specimens. Additionally, it investigated the possibility of retaining and repairing damaged Square Hollow Section members based on the extent of damage. Experimental testing, complemented by numerical models developed using ABAQUS software for finite element analysis, was employed to achieve these objectives. Various levels of damage were examined using both linear elastic and non-linear buckling analysis approaches. The results indicated a substantial reduction in the failure strength of the HSS members due to damage. However, the elastic buckling loads of the hollow sections were not significantly affected. This observation suggests a certain degree of tolerance in members that may be more prone to elastic buckling failure than material yield failure. The study acknowledges the potential development of a slenderness ratio specific to the buckling of damaged hollow sections, it ultimately recommends adherence to existing codes governing the repair and replacement of damaged hollow sections as well as provides a decision model based on utilisation of the damaged member. This pragmatic approach emphasises the importance of following established guidelines whilst also taking into consideration tolerances allowed for damaged members, in industry. The decision model provides practical guidance for the assessment and management of damaged HSS members in structural applications. In contrast to the stipulations in SANS Code 2001-CS1(2005), this model provides a selection criterion to either retain the specimen or replace/repair said damaged member.
format Thesis
id oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/41661
institution University of Cape Town (South Africa)
language English
eng
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:37:01.089Z
license_str Not specified — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository
publishDate 2025
publishDateRange 2025
publishDateSort 2025
publisher Department of Civil Engineering
publisherStr Department of Civil Engineering
record_format dspace
source_str UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository
spelling oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/41661 Mechanical behaviour of steel hollow section columns subjected to damage – experimental study and finite element modelling Larknath, Bijal Mudenda, Kenny Hollow Steel Sections Hollow Steel Sections (HSS) are integral components in structural and architectural applications, valued for their torsional resistance, versatility, and aesthetic appeal. These welded steel tubes are typically manufactured off-site and transported to construction sites. However, during transportation, HSS members may incur damage, necessitating replacement in accordance with Sans 2001-CS1 (4.6.1.2) code specifications. This code outlines the criteria and procedures for assessing and replacing damaged HSS members, ensuring adherence to structural safety standards. This study aimed to assess the behaviour of HSS in response to damage. The objective was to determine the acceptability of commercially available damaged HSS structural specimens. Additionally, it investigated the possibility of retaining and repairing damaged Square Hollow Section members based on the extent of damage. Experimental testing, complemented by numerical models developed using ABAQUS software for finite element analysis, was employed to achieve these objectives. Various levels of damage were examined using both linear elastic and non-linear buckling analysis approaches. The results indicated a substantial reduction in the failure strength of the HSS members due to damage. However, the elastic buckling loads of the hollow sections were not significantly affected. This observation suggests a certain degree of tolerance in members that may be more prone to elastic buckling failure than material yield failure. The study acknowledges the potential development of a slenderness ratio specific to the buckling of damaged hollow sections, it ultimately recommends adherence to existing codes governing the repair and replacement of damaged hollow sections as well as provides a decision model based on utilisation of the damaged member. This pragmatic approach emphasises the importance of following established guidelines whilst also taking into consideration tolerances allowed for damaged members, in industry. The decision model provides practical guidance for the assessment and management of damaged HSS members in structural applications. In contrast to the stipulations in SANS Code 2001-CS1(2005), this model provides a selection criterion to either retain the specimen or replace/repair said damaged member. 2025-09-01T10:05:14Z 2025-09-01T10:05:14Z 2025 2025-09-01T09:56:56Z Thesis / Dissertation Masters MSc http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41661 en eng application/pdf Department of Civil Engineering Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment University of Cape Town
spellingShingle Hollow Steel Sections
Larknath, Bijal
Mechanical behaviour of steel hollow section columns subjected to damage – experimental study and finite element modelling
thesis_degree_str Master's
title Mechanical behaviour of steel hollow section columns subjected to damage – experimental study and finite element modelling
title_full Mechanical behaviour of steel hollow section columns subjected to damage – experimental study and finite element modelling
title_fullStr Mechanical behaviour of steel hollow section columns subjected to damage – experimental study and finite element modelling
title_full_unstemmed Mechanical behaviour of steel hollow section columns subjected to damage – experimental study and finite element modelling
title_short Mechanical behaviour of steel hollow section columns subjected to damage – experimental study and finite element modelling
title_sort mechanical behaviour of steel hollow section columns subjected to damage experimental study and finite element modelling
topic Hollow Steel Sections
url http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41661
work_keys_str_mv AT larknathbijal mechanicalbehaviourofsteelhollowsectioncolumnssubjectedtodamageexperimentalstudyandfiniteelementmodelling