Experimental study of beam–column behaviour of steel single angles

Twenty-eight rolled steel single angle specimens were tested to investigate their response when required to carry axial compressive loading at various end eccentricities. Results suggested that when eccentrically loaded with respect to the major principal axis, there is a critical eccentricity below which any consequent reduction in the ultimate load is marginal. In contrast, as eccentricity of loading with respect to the minor principal axis is increased, reduction of the ultimate load is more pronounced and no similar critical eccentricity can be identified. Test results, when compared with the corresponding values as determined from the design equations suggested by Adluri and Madugula (1992), in AISC Specification 2000 and AISC Specification 2005, indicated that the former two methods give a conservative estimate of the ultimate compressive capacity of single angles. This conservatism is more pronounced for specimens subjected to eccentric loading with respect to the major principal axis than that resulting from eccentric loading with respect to the minor principal axis. Although intended for doubly symmetric sections, the third method provides improved capacity estimates of single angles.