Cross-sectional classification for aluminium beams: a parametric study

A numerical study to assess the rotational capacity of aluminum alloy members is presented in this paper. In order to investigate the effects of some governing parameters on the inelastic response of aluminum beams under moment gradient, a wide parametric analysis has been carried out. This was based on the use of a FEM code ABAQUS/Standard. Reference is made to hollow rectangular cross sections, focusing on the influence of the flange slenderness, the strain hardening of the material, the shape factor of the section, the web stiffness, and member compactness. The investigations concern these factors considered separately as well as their interaction. Also, the susceptibility of aluminum beams to tensile failure, which might produce a limitation of member deformation capacity, is analyzed. The results, which have been obtained for two different alloy tempers, show the importance of some of the foregoing parameters on both buckling strength and rotational capacity of aluminum beams, emphasizing the need to improve the present guidelines provided by the European code on aluminum structures relating to cross-sectional classification