Combined Loading Effects on the Buckling Strength of Q690 Steel Tubes: An Experimental and Numerical Study

Abstract: This study investigates the stability and buckling behavior of Q690 high-strength steel cylindrical tubes subjected to combined axial compression and bending loads. Experimental testing on 27 specimens, combined with finite element analysis using ABAQUS, revealed critical insights into load-bearing capacity, deformation patterns, and failure modes. The study found that geometric imperfections, such as initial out-of-roundness and local dents, and residual stresses significantly influenced the buckling strength of the tubes, particularly those with high diameter-to-thickness ratios. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) effectively modeled the complex behavior, with deviations from experimental results ranging from 5.6% to 7.9%. Based on these findings, design recommendations, including optimized D/t and slenderness ratios, are proposed to enhance structural safety and efficiency. These results contribute to a better understanding of Q690 steel behavior and can inform the development of improved design codes for critical infrastructure applications