Energy Capacity Criterion for the Design of Columns against Collapse

Current practice in buckling design is based on the ultimate strength of a member such that excessive lateral deflections do not occur. This ultimate strength is often dictated by empirically derived formulae which correspond to postulated element imperfections including residual stresses. In this paper, the postbuckling behavior of columns is considered, and the limit state is considered to be total collapse. The load versus end displacement relationship is derived for a simplified elastic–perfectly plastic column model. Using this curve, the energy absorbed and released in going from one load/deflection state to another can be easily quantified. With this, the energy absorption capacity of an already loaded column is considered to be the critical performance metric. This "energy capacity criterion" is then used to develop alternative design curves for different levels of energy absorption capacity.