ABSTRACT
Current design rules for classifying RHS in bending and compression are based on tests of I-sections. It has been previously shown that this approach is not appropriate for RHS in bending, as there is flange-web interaction which ought to be included in design recommendations. This paper collates the experimental and finite element data from two CIDECT research projects and proposes several possible new slenderness limits for Class 1 RHS webs under bending and compression. One formulation previously given involves the inclusions of both flange web interaction and the destabilising effect of axial compression on the Class 1 limit. The alternative presented in this paper gives a simplified classification method which ignores the effect of flange-web interaction. The effect of this simplification is discussed.
