Compression tests and numerical analysis of perforated plates containing slotted holes in steel pylons

This paper presents experimental and numerical studies on the compression behaviors of perforated plates in steel pylons. Each rectangular plate considered has a centrically located slotted hole and is simply supported on four edges in the out-of-plane direction. In a experimental study, 15 specimens, i.e., four non-perforated plates and 11 perforated plates, are tested under uniaxial compression by the use of a self-balanced loading device. The elastic strain distribution, out-of-plane deformation, failure pattern, and ultimate strength are observed in the compression test. In the numerical analysis, finite element models are developed to predict the stress concentration factor and the ultimate strength of plates with various dimensions. The results of the finite element analyses are validated by the experimental data. The influences of non-dimensional parameters including plate slenderness ratio, plate aspect ratio, hole width/plate width as well as hole aspect ratio on the concerned predictions are illustrated on the basis of numerous parametric studies. The results of the studies indicate that slotted perforations make significant alterations in the compression behaviors of perforated plates, and those alterations vary with non-dimensional parameters of plates, holes or between them.