Experimental study on local buckling of axially compressed steel stub columns at elevated temperatures

• Local buckling was tested on stub steel columns at high temperatures.
• The test variables included grade of steel, temperature and load levels.
• Non-linear finite element method was employed using ABAQUS.
• The Eurocode3 treatment on local buckling was checked by the test data.

There are few design provisions in codes and standards on local buckling of steel columns under fire conditions. To examine the local stability of steel stub columns at elevated temperatures, 12 stub columns were tested under simultaneous application of load and fire conditions. The test variables included Grade (type) of steel, buckling resistance, temperature and load levels. During fire tests, cross sectional temperatures, axial displacement, buckling deflection, and local buckling failure modes of flange and web of stub columns were recorded at various temperatures. Data from the tests is utilized to evaluate buckling resistance of flange and web both at room and elevated temperatures by applying the ultimate strain method and curve inflexion point method. Results from fire tests are utilized to validate a finite element model developed for tracing local buckling of steel columns at elevated temperatures. Results from fire tests and finite element analysis show that failure mode of columns at room and elevated temperatures follow similar pattern but the load bearing capacity of Q460 steel columns degrade much more rapidly under fire conditions than that of Q235 steel columns. Further, Eurocode 3 provisions for local buckling produce non-conservative results in certain situations.