Experimental study of square and rectangular hollow section aluminium alloy columns

Recently, aluminium alloys are extensively used in the construction sector because of their small self-weight, good corrosion resistance, low maintenance, high recyclability, and aesthetic appearance. However, one of the main disadvantages of these alloys is the low Young's modulus, which may cause a stability issue of aluminium structural members. Moreover, currently available design standards for predicting buckling resistance of aluminium columns are generally conservative. Therefore, additional research is required to evaluate the actual structural behaviour of aluminium columns under axial compression. The present study experimentally investigated the buckling response of 13 square and rectangular 6082-T6 aluminium alloy columns subjected to axial compression. The properties of the aluminium alloy were achieved from tensile test of coupon samples. The compressive load was employed concentrically by using a knife-edge hinge to ensure pin supports on both ends of the specimens. The structural response of the columns observed from the tests is presented in terms of ultimate strengths, failure modes and load-mid-height lateral displacement relationship. Furthermore, the test results of the specimens are compared with the ultimate strengths calculated by Eurocode 9, showing that the latter provides conservative and scattered design estimations.