08-10-2014, 04:16 PM
Double-channel sections are often used as beam-columns, which are connected to each other at few places by means of battens. The load-displacement behaviour of such members is adversely affected by compound buckling and large shear deformations. During seismic overloads, the local instability of components of battened beam-columns prevents to develop its full plastic moment carrying capacity and to allow the sufficient rotations required for expected ductility demands. In the present study, the double-channel battened members subjected to constant axial compression and gradually increasing reversed cyclic lateral load. A specimen of double-channel battened beam-column, designed as per IS specifications, was tested experimentally and it failed due to lateral instability of the beam-column, prior to reaching its full plastic moment carrying capacity. However, the degradation of flexural strength and stiffness of the member started from the onset of local buckling of flanges and webs of channel section. The design of battened beam-column was modified in two stages by chang