Chapter 5:Conclusions

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Chapter 5

CONCLUSIONS

5.1 GENERAL
The thesis emanated with an aim to find out the ultimate load carrying capacity of single steel angles subjected to eccentrically axial compressive loads. For attaining the objective, a gradual sequence has been maintained. First of all, the theoretical background of eccentrically loaded column is enumerated and the necessary equations adopted in the analytical approach related to our study are also mentioned for convenience. All these information are included in chapter 2.The present issue has also been analyzed in finite element method. The details of modeling procedure, selection of finite element along with boundary conditions have been explained in chapter 3.The subsequent chapter is the summarization of computational investigation and comparative study of the obtained results from analytical approach and finite element analysis to similar studies carried out in the previous research and those using ASCE formula. The results of the present study are informative and hopefully would be useful for practical purposes.

5.2 OUTCOMES OF THE STUDY

The design of eccentrically loaded single steel angles is a major design concern to practicing engineers. As there are no specific codal provisions for determining the ultimate load capacity of single steel angles subjected to eccentric loads, an attempt has been made in the study to achieve a practical solution.

In our study, a few angle sections have been analyzed under eccentrically applied axial loads. Both the results obtained for larger angle dimensions, from finite element analysis and analytical approach give lower results than the results found from ASCE formula and test of Bathon et al (1993).So, the results of the present study prove to be logical with the practical condition, where the true angle behavior shows the pronounced effect of eccentricity on their load carrying capacities.

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The center of gravity of bolt pattern has been used as the position of applied load. There is a possibility that code or analytical equations over predict the compression capacity of angle sections eccentrically connected to other parts of the structure.

5.3 FUTURE SCOPES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

In the study, eccentrically loaded steel angles have been analyzed using analytical approach (Jezeks (1934) formula and Youngs (1936) secant formula). Jezeks (1934) approximate theory may offer an opportunity to study systematically the effect of elastic restraint of the ends of the steel angles without too much labour. However, the theory of eccentric buckling developed till today deals only with simply supported columns. Actual columns are usually framed into the adjacent members of the structure and may be regarded as columns having elastically restrained ends. There are only a few studies by Chwalla (1937), who investigated the effects of end restraints upon the failure load of eccentrically loaded columns. Therefore, further investigation in this field is desirable, since it would clear up the behavior of eccentrically loaded compression members under conditions encountered in actual metal structures.