Section capacity of very high strength (VHS) circular tubes under compression

This paper investigates the section capacity of very high strength (VHS®) circular tubes under compression. Full-section tensile tests were performed to determine the Youngʹs modulus of elasticity, tensile yield stress and ultimate tensile strength. The modulus of elasticity was found around 200,000 MPa, the tensile yield stress (0.2% proof stress) was around 1350 MPa and the ultimate tensile strength was around 1500 MPa. Twelve stub column tests were carried out. The plate element slenderness varies from 86 to 130. It has been demonstrated that the limits on local buckling in most existing design standards are conservative when applied to VHS circular tubes. The reliability of section capacity based on the full effective section model has been verified using a FOSM (first order second moment) approach.