Experimental study of steel single unequal-leg angles under eccentric compression

A total of 26 steel unequal-leg angle specimens were tested under eccentric compression with respect to either major or minor principal axis of the cross-section to study the steel single angle beam–column behavior. Results suggested that for angles subjected to major principal axis bending causing the angle short leg in compression, the presence of moment, in some cases, resulted in the angle ultimate load higher than its concentric compressive capacity. In the case of the major axis bending causing the long leg in compression and minor axis bending, an increase in eccentricity resulted in a reduction in the angle ultimate load but the extent of the reduction was more pronounced for specimens under minor axis bending. Overall, the effect of eccentricity on the ultimate load decreased as the slenderness increased. The design of angle beam–columns as proposed in AISC Specification 2005 and the Direct Strength Method was evaluated using the test results.

Research highlights
► Twenty-six steel unequal-leg angle specimens were tested under eccentric compression.
► For major axis bending, the presence of moment may be beneficial to the axial capacity.
► The AISC Specification 2005 for design of angle beam–columns is conservative.
► The Direct Strength Method provides improved estimate of load capacity.