Single Angle Columns Connected Through the Leg – Stability and Design Assessment

Abstract Angle columns are widely used as bracing members in planar and space trusses. These elements are typically connected through one leg, introducing eccentricity between the connection plane and the cross‐section centroid. This eccentricity, along with the rotational stiffness of the connection, which is generally misaligned with the principal axes, affects the compressive strength and buckling behavior. Current design methods rely on effective slenderness concepts calibrated empirically to account for these effects. In this study, a new design approach is proposed using shell finite element analyses in ANSYS, combined with available experimental data. The method incorporates both global and local buckling effects based on the actual boundary conditions of single‐angle columns connected by one leg. A parametric study covering a wide range of slenderness and geometric configurations supports the development of new design expressions. The results are compared with existing standards, showing improved consistency. Further experimental studies are suggested to enhance the proposed methodology.