Rectangular Tubular Steel Columns Loaded Biaxially

An inelastic analysis of rectangular tubular steel columns subjected to a constant axial load and a gradually increasing biaxial end moment is presented. Analytical thrust-moment-curvature relationships are given for the cross section with bilinear material stress-strain characteristics. An iterative procedure based on column deflection curves is used to predict moment-deflection curves up to collapse, and numerical examples are given for square and rectangular tubular steel columns. The interaction of biaxial moments, as well as the effect of strain-hardening, is explained for the non-proportional loading considered. The technique can be modified for beam-columns with other types of end moments.