Behaviour of Curved Thin-Shell Composite Columns under Axial Compression Loads
摘要
Existing research has shown that curved shell hollow section columns made of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites could provide better loading capacity than similar rectangular or square hollow section columns. However, so far only theoretical studies exist on such FRP curved shell hollow sections and experimental investigations are yet to be carried out. This paper presents a study aimed at manufacturing and testing of FRP curved shell hollow section columns under axial compression. A resin transfer moulding technique with a 3D printed thin-shell as a stay-in-place mould was used for the fabrication of the FRP curved shell hollow sections. Two different geometries, a single curved shell hollow section and a double curved shell hollow section were manufactured and tested under concentric axial compression. All the specimens showcased local buckling, but the final failure was due to the edge bearing failures at the loading points. A finite element (FE) model was developed to capture the behaviour of the FRP curved shell hollow section columns. FE models accurately predicted the load capacity as well as the failure modes of the specimens.