Experimental Investigations into Interactive Buckling of Ultra-Light Gauge Steel Storage Rack Uprights (No. R927)

Abstract

This report presents an experimental investigation into the behaviour of ultra light-gauge steel storage rack uprights subjected to compression. Two different types of members with varying lengths are tested and while the combined effects of local and distortional buckling are investigated, special attention has been given to longer specimens that fail by flexural-torsional buckling. Deformations experienced during testing by all of the specimens were measured and observations regarding failure modes have been documented. In addition, the geometric imperfections of each member were measured before testing, as were the material properties of the cold-rolled sections and the virgin steel from which the sections were formed. This report details the observed failure modes, the recorded ultimate strengths and load-deflection responses.