Local–global mode interaction in thin-walled inelastic rectangular hollow section struts part 2: Assessment of existing design guidance and new recommendations

The second part of the study on the local–global mode interaction in thin-walled inelastic rectangular hollow section struts focuses on design guidance. Based on the validated finite element (FE) model from the companion paper, a framework for fully automating FE model generation, submission and post-processing for geometric and material nonlinear analysis with imperfections is first presented. The ultimate load data for specimens with different cross-section aspect ratios, cross-sectional slenderness, global slenderness and welding options are generated. The current design rules for thin-walled welded RHS struts are assessed using the numerical results and existing experimental results from the literature by means of structural reliability analysis in accordance with the methodology presented in Annex D of Eurocode EN1990. A modified Direct Strength Method (DSM) relationship is then proposed and it is demonstrated to provide superior ultimate load predictions than the current guidelines.