Theoretical analysis of perforated rack columns.

Abstract

Industrial Storage Systems are usually built with cold-formed profiles. Their sections, called “rack sections”, are specially designed with perforations to accommodate connections and bolts for easy assemblage. This, however, induces unexpected failure modes in other sections. The aim of this research was to analyze the effects of perforations on column behavior and resistance using the commercial software ANSYS and the finite element method. The numerical values for this procedure were previously obtained using the finite strip method and the generalized beam theory. These results were then calibrated by comparing them to the finite element models of columns without perforation. The element type, mesh refinement and boundary conditions were carefully chosen to ensure that the finite element model reproduces actual column behavior. The finite element model was used to evaluate the effects of perforation size, quantity and distribution on column behavior.