ABSTRACT
This paper deals with the numerical investigation aimed to study the axial capacity of pin-ended steel built-up columns. Three methods of calculating forces in chords and batten, taking into account the material and geometric imperfections specified in the Eurocode 3 are considered. The aim of this study was to compare different methods allowing the calculation of the column load capacity and determine a simpler and faster method than the present Eurocode 3 procedure related to design of built up members. In the paper, the method according to Eurocode 3 for uniform built-up compression member and the method according to PN-B-03200:1990 are compared with the code method for the structure modeled as separate members for column chords and battens. Calculations were carried out for the column modeled by 1D-beam elements and for a whole shell model of the column. Finite element (FE) models were established and verified against the built-up columns with similar configurations that were tested experimentally in the studies presented in the literature, and then compared with the calculations specified in Eurocode 3.
