Lateral Deformation of Rectangular Columns with Edge Notches-A Semi Empirical Investigation

Lateral Deformation of Rectangular Columns with Edge Notches-A Semi Empirical Investigation

In current paper, using experimental results some new relations are introduced for prediction of amounts of energy absorption of rectangular columns with edge notches in quasi-static lateral deformation process. Also the effect of notches lengths on energy absorption characteristics of specimens is investigated. For this purpose several square and rectangular aluminum columns were prepared with same lengths. Some edge notches with various lengths and positions and same widths were created on the walls and junctions of columns. The prepared specimens were laterally compressed between two rigid plates using a Zwick testing machine and their load-displacement diagrams were sketched based on experimental data. The area under load-displacement diagrams of specimens were calculated and used as their absorbed energy. Considering same cross-section and notch positions, the diagrams of absorbed energy versus notch length were sketched. Accordingly some new semi empirical relations are proposed for calculation of energy absorption of notched columns.