An investigation on the design of steel storage rack columns via the direct strength method

Abstract

The paper presents an attempt to predict the load carrying capacity of perforated rack columns by means of the Direct Strength Method (DSM). The investigation is focused on two different issues: the prediction of the elastic buckling loads of members with multiple perforations, and the evaluation of the accuracy of the current DSM buckling curves when applied to rack columns. In relation to the first issue, a model for the calculation of the reduced thickness of the perforated strip to be used in finite strip buckling analysis is developed. Regarding the study of the DSM curves, it is demonstrated that they can be used to accurately determine the strength of rack cross-sections whose failure is governed by distortional buckling or global buckling (with no significant participation of local buckling). This is an interesting result because it will allow substituting the distortional buckling tests, that are currently carried out in the process of design of these columns, by a simple and easy to apply calculation procedure.