Experimental, numerical, and regulatory P-Mx-My domains for cold-formed perforated steel uprights of pallet-racks

The results of an extensive experimental campaign on centric and eccentric compressive behavior of thin-walled steel uprights of pallet-rack systems are presented. The analyzed cold-formed profiles are perforated through their whole length and have open, mono-symmetric cross-sections. Experimental results are extended through finite-element simulations, including geometrical and material nonlinearities, to obtain detailed three-dimensional compression-bending-bending strength-domains, which are compared to building-code prescriptions. Regulations are safety preserving, with an average difference of about 10%, and maximum difference for bending about the weak axis. Unlike in regulatory prescriptions, the experimental-numerical results show unsymmetrical behavior about the weak axis and nonlinear, convex bending-bending interaction.