Tests of Fabricated Tubular Columns

Described herein are tests of 10 long fabricated tubular steel columns, of relatively large diameter, with essentially pin-ended conditions. In addition to the behavior, strength, and the manner of failure of the long columns, a number of stub column tests were also made along with the measurements of residual stresses. These residual stresses are both circumferential, due to formation of a flat plate into a cylindrical shape; and longitudinal, resulting from the welding of longitudinal seam needed to complete the fabricated cylinder. Measurement of these stresses is considered essential to any theoretical analysis of column behavior. The maximum strength of the 10 long columns tested (at diameter-to-thickness ratios of 48 and 70 and with a range of slenderness ratio between 39 to 83) is compared with the CRC column curve and good agreement is generally observed.