SQUARE AND RECTANGULAR HOLLOW SECTIONS UNDER TRANSVERSE END-BEARING FORCE

This paper describes tests on a range of cold-formed square and rectan gular hollow section members subject to end-bearing force. The concent rated force was applied by means of a bearing plate, which acted acros s the full flange width of the section. The parameters varied in the t ests included (1) the bearing length; (2) the slenderness of the membe r; and (3) the shape of the section [rectangular hollow sections (RHS) or square hollow sections (SHS)]. The results are compared with exist ing American, Australian, Canadian, and European design formulas. The results are also compared with the formulas given by the writers, whic h were based on tests of SHS and RHS sections under interior bearing f orce. A design model is proposed for SHS and RHS sections under end-be aring force. The reliability analysis method is used to calibrate the existing and proposed design formulas.