Experimental and numerical studies of elliptical hollow sections under axial compression and bending

A series of tests were performed on hot-rolled steel elliptical hollow section members. Nineteen stub column tests and six four-point bending tests about the minor axis were conducted. Measurements were taken of cross-section geometry, local and global initial geometric imperfections and material properties in tension. Results including full load-end shortening curves for the stub column tests and full moment-deflection histories for the beam tests are presented; these results have been used to calibrate the numerical models and for the development of a system of cross-section slenderness parameters and limits.