Theoretical study of ultimate load of locally buckled stub columns loaded eccentrically

Abstract This paper is concerned with the post buckling behavior and ultimate load-carrying capacity of thin-walled cold formed and welded stub columns subjected to a constant load eccentricity or a constant compression eccentricity. The analysis is based on the combined geometric and material nonlinear finite strip method in association with modified Ilushin yielding function. The emphasis is placed on the numerical studies on the effects of the loading types, load eccentricities and initial plate imperfections as well as the width-thickness ratios of the plates and the aspect ratios of the sections on the post buckling behavior and ultimate load-carrying capacity of thin-walled stub columns. The comparison of the theoretical results of this study with the experimental results conducted by X. Zhang (Ph.D. Thesis, Technical University, Darmstadt, 1989) is made and an agreement between both is very satisfactory.