Prediction of Nominal Compressive Strength in Steel Piles Subject to Corrosion Losses: A Finite Element Approach

Abstract

 This paper presents a method for predicting the nominal compressive strength of steel I-shaped piles subject to cross-sectional losses caused by corrosion.  The method requires a finite element linear buckling analysis of the corroded cross-section.  Results from the finite element buckling analysis may be integrated into design capacity equations contained in the 15th edition of the American Institute of Steel Construction Steel Construction Manual.  Non-linear post-buckling analyses were used to verify the accuracy of the proposed method.  Three cross-sectional geometries (W14x82, W14x90, and W14x120) were analyzed at varying degrees of cross-sectional loss.  Results show close agreement between the non-linear finite element analyses and the proposed method of calculating nominal compressive strength.