Stub column tests for racking design: Experimental testing, FE analysis and EC3

• Published in: Thin-walled structures Vol. 49; no. 1; pp. 167 - 184
• Main Authors: Roure, F., Pastor, M.M., Casafont, M., Somalo, M.R.
• Format: Journal Article Publication
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acer; Anàlisi numèrica; Assaig de materials; Compressing; Cross sections; Design engineering; Disseny d'estructures; Effective area; Elements finits, Mètode dels; Enginyeria dels materials; Exact sciences and technology; Experimental testing; FE analysis; Finite element method; Fracture mechanics (crack, fatigue, damage...); Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Matemàtiques i estadística; Mathematical analysis; Mathematical models; Mathematical optimization; Mètodes numèrics; Optimització matemàtica; Optimization; Pallet-rack profiles; Physics; Solid mechanics; Static elasticity (thermoelasticity...); Steel; Structural and continuum mechanics; Structural design; Structural steels; Uprights; Àrees temàtiques de la UPC; Effective area; Uprights; Experimental testing; Pallet-rack profiles; FE analysis; Non linear material; Steel; Experimental study; Modeling; Pallet; Optimization; Palletization; Finite element method; Experimental design; Column; Strength of materials
• ISSN: 0263-8231; 1879-3223
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tws.2010.09.002

The Laboratory of Elasticity and Strength of Materials, in the School of Engineering of Barcelona (UPC), has gained a wide experience in pallet-rack testing in recent years. We have gathered a comprehensive set of experimental results from upright cross-sections subject to compression. Twenty different pallet-rack steel profiles have been tested. This information is valuable and allows us to evaluate different methods alternative to testing as a design option. In this paper, two alternative methods are considered: the analytical, by applying the European Standard EN 1993-1-3:2006/AC:2009; a traditional method, which involves the effective width determination for each part of the section subject to compression; and the numerical, by applying finite element analysis, including non-linear material and geometrical behaviour. The results of both methods are compared to the experimental ones. This research reveals that even though the European Standard EN 15512:2009 does only accept the experimental method for perforated sections, theses other two methods can give good accuracy, and be good tools in the stage of design and optimization.