Tests of Unstiffened Elements under Combined Compression and Bending (No. R818)

Abstract

Details of a dual-actuator rig developed for testing rectangular plates simply supported on three sides, with the remaining (longitudinal) edge free, under combined uni-axial compression and in-plane bending are presented. Particular attention is given to ensuring a constant strain eccentricity to the loaded ends, as opposed to a constant load eccentricity, in order to determine the post-buckling behavior and ultimate load and moment capacities of unstiffened thin-walled elements. Strain gradients varying from pure compression to pure bending are facilitated. The results of 80 tests on unstiffened plate specimens described herein are used to establish effective width equations for unstiffened elements under stress gradients in a companion report.