Aluminum alloy tubular columns—Part II: Parametric study and design using direct strength method

A parametric study of aluminum alloy columns of square and rectangular hollow sections was performed using finite element analysis (FEA). The columns were compressed between fixed ends. The parametric study included 120 columns with and without transverse welds at the ends of the columns. An accurate and reliable finite element model was used for the parametric study. Design approaches for aluminum alloy tubular columns with and without transverse welds were proposed. Column strengths predicted by the FEA were compared with the design strengths calculated using the current American, Australian/New Zealand and European specifications for aluminum structures. In addition, the direct strength method (DSM), which was developed for cold-formed carbon steel members, was used in this study for aluminum alloy columns. The design strengths calculated using the DSM were compared with the numerical results. Furthermore, design rules modified from the DSM were proposed. It is shown that the proposed design rules accurately predicted the ultimate strengths of aluminum welded and non-welded columns. The reliability of the current and proposed design rules was evaluated using reliability analysis.