Structural Behaviour of Stainless Steel Tubular Columns Under Flexural Buckling

Abstract Despite the economic challenges associated with its application in civil construction, stainless steel has become increasingly attractive for structural applications due to its corrosion resistance, durability, good mechanical properties, and attractive aesthetics. Focusing on the efficiency of structural elements under axial loading, this study investigates the structural behavior of rectangular hollow section (RHS) stainless steel columns across austenitic, ferritic, and duplex grades. Finite Element (FE) models were developed and calibrated with experimental data to perform a parametric study. The results were compared with the resistance predictions from EN 1993‐1‐4, the Continuous Strength Method (CSM), and the Design Manual P413. It was observed that EN 1993‐1‐4 tends to provide conservative estimates, particularly for austenitic grades, though slight improvements are noted in the 2023 update and Design Manual P413. CSM showed more accurate predictions for stub columns but highlighted the need for separate treatment of austenitic steels due to their distinct behavior. The findings emphasize the importance of considering materialspecific responses in stainless steel design.