ABSTRACT
In this paper, the results of finite element analyses simulating full section tensile and compression tests of rectangular hollow sections (RHS) are presented. It is shown how a material model with damage evolution parameters from coupon test results of Grade C450 cold formed steel is necessary to correlate the fracture/failure behaviour with observed results. The influence of geometric imperfections, variability in actual/nominal stress strain curves in material model and the resulting partial safety factors in design as brace members with local tensile or compression failure were investigated. Adopting actual stress strain curves, it was observed that the limits to σu/σy can be reduced to 1.1 and still provide a partial safety factor of 1.25 now prevalent in axial brace failure. A more conservative approach was however required when nominal stress strain values were adopted in design.
