Computational analysis of the collapse behaviour of thin-walled polygonal steel beams

The present paper is focused on the development of an accurate computational method, based on the Finite Element (FE) approximation, for predicting the collapse behavior of thin-walled polygonal steel beams subject to bending. The numerical model has been created using the software ABAQUS, and has been validated with experimental data obtained from the literature, concerning rectangular hollow section (RHS) in the four-point-bending situation. The model has been improved by means of a thorough study of material hardening, imperfections and residual stresses. The computational results of the analyses have been compared with the design procedures provided by Eurocode 3 (effective cross-section method and reduced stress method), in order to check their suitability.