Postbuckling behaviour of stainless steel (SUS304) columns under loading–unloading cycles

Based on the equilibrium configuration paths, this study investigates the postbuckling behaviour, including the shape recovery capability, of stainless steel (SUS304) columns after a complete loading–unloading cycle. Experiments were conducted and later numerical simulation was carried out in order to analyze the observed buckling and postbuckling behaviour. Large deflection analysis is necessary for slender columns. Moreover, comparison of the experimental critical load with analytical predictions verifies the fact that physical nonlinearity should be taken into account to analyze the column’s buckling behaviour comprehensively. Thus, based on large deflection theory as well as the nonlinear stress–strain relations, the load–deformation curves of the columns during a complete loading–unloading cycle have been predicted by using the finite element modelling (FEM) code ANSYS.Precise and quantitative analyses of the results verify the fact that the material’s stress–strain properties, both in tension and compression, attribute to the column’s buckling behaviour.