Experimental study of single angle columns

Abstract The paper presents the results of an experimental investigation of the buckling response of single angle columns. Equal- and unequal-legged angles were used with a range of maximum principal slenderness ratios that aimed at determining elastic and inelastic failure characteristics, including flexural and flexural-torsional effects and the influence of the width-to-thickness ratios of the legs. Verifying previous theoretical calculations and being generally in good agreement with the results of other studies, where such were available, the findings emphasize the importance of the flexural-torsional buckling mode, especially in the inelastic range of behavior. Tentative design recommendations are made, but it is also noted that further research is needed to amplify the data. In particular, the influence of the width-to-thickness ratio of the angle legs needs to be examined systematically.