A practical mechanical model for the analysis of ultimate strength of dent-damaged tubular structures

This paper studies the whole behavior of dent-damaged tubular members with the help of a regression model, which was developed from published test results and finite element analysis. The parameters including dent-depth, initial crookedness, slenderness ratio and diameter-thickness ratio are considered and their influence on ultimate load is analyzed. Both separate influence and combined influence of the above parameters on load-shortening relationship are discussed. Finally, a coefficient of the equivalent stiffness of compression dent-damaged tubular members is derived, which provides a suitable mechanical model for the nonlinear analysis of ultimate strength of dent-damaged tubular structures.