Behavior of Damaged Tubular Structural Members

An analytical model of dented tubular members is constructed. Using this model, an ultimate strength interaction relationship between axial force and biaxial bending moments is derived. The implementation of this interaction relationship to take account of denting and bending damage in the analysis of nonlinear behavior of tubular space frames by ISUM (the Idealized Structural Unit Method) is described. An experimental study of the behavior of dented members subjected to pure bending is reported. Comparison with theoretical predictions is presented.