On the Strength of Cast Iron Columns (No. R829)

Abstract

The aim of the report is to show that modern methods of verification of steel structures can be used for the structural appraisal of old cast-iron columns. The proposed method of verification takes account of the geometrical imperfections which are typical for cast-iron columns and of the particular behaviour of the material which is distinct from modern structural steel in that the tension strength is significant lower than the compression strength, the stress-strain curve is non-linear rather than bi-linear and the Young’s modulus is about 2/5 the value for modern steels. The report proposes equations for calculating the strength of cast iron columns by checking failure by yielding in compression and fracture in tension. The proposed strength equations are compared with experimental results obtained by Hodgkinson (1840) and Tetmayer (1901).