Vol. 21, No. 5, pp. 436-447 (2025)
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH ON MECHANICAL PERFORMANCE OF
COLD-FORMED THIN-WALL FABRICATED RACK COLUMNS
Yan-Bo Qu 1, Gan Tang 1, *, Ling-Feng Yin 2 and Ren-Yi Shi 1
1 Department of Civil and Airport Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 211106, China
2 School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, SiPaiLou 2, Nanjing 210096, China
*(Corresponding author: E-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Received: 4 August 2024; Revised: 16 January 2025; Accepted: 6 February 2025
DOI:10.18057/IJASC.2025.21.5.6
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ABSTRACT
The increasing prevalence of thin-wall fabricated rack has heightened demands on the load-bearing capabilities of structural components, particularly columns. Traditional cold-formed thin-wall single-limb columns are now often inadequate for safety standards, prompting the need for innovative column designs and reinforcement techniques. A prevalent reinforcement strategy involves transforming single-limb columns into double-limb configurations. This study employs experimental and theoretical analyses to evaluate the mechanical properties of both single-limb and double-limb columns, proposing reinforcement methods such as force transfer plates. The research includes: (1) designing load-bearing tests for both column types to determine load-displacement curves and ultimate capacities; (2) developing an enhanced finite element model to validate mechanical performance against experimental data; and (3) conducting a parametric study on factors influencing the mechanical behavior of double-limb columns, providing guidelines for their practical application.
KEYWORDS
Steel storage rack, Cold-formed thin-walled, Coupled composite column, The simulation of the finite element model, Parametric analysis
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