Material behaviour of austenitic stainless steel subjected to cyclic and arbitrary loading: Fid-Bau Portal

Material behaviour of austenitic stainless steel subjected to cyclic and arbitrary loading

Lázaro, Lucy / Chacón, Rolando

Abstract In this paper, an experimental program on cyclic loading of austenitic stainless steel specimens is presented. The program encompasses a series of forty specimens subjected both cyclic (low and extremely low) and arbitrary loading (following certain rules). These protocols include companion, multiple-step and a set of arbitrary earthquake-like strain history, which represents a novelty in the material understanding. Stainless steel exhibits strain hardening as a key feature for structural applications. This feature is fundamental in the definition of cross-sectional resistance, cross-section classification, ductility and energy dissipation. In recent years, the strategic use of stainless steel as a potential structural material in dissipative zones of earthquake-resistant elements is under consideration. When it comes to seismic design, strain-hardening must be known precisely for further characterization of the seismic structural behaviour of the actual system in which stainless steel is used strategically. The use of stainless steel in dissipative zones of earthquake-resistant structures requires research related to cyclic loading at many levels. Thus, its potential use in seismic areas, as well as the performance of existing structures, can be considered. A systematic analysis of the results, which include cyclic hardening, stabilisation and material degradation, is presented. In addition, these results are used for the further numerical implementation of cyclic hardening in non-linear models.

Graphical abstract Display Omitted

Highlights • Austenitic stainless steel is studied experimentally. • Cyclic behaviour is studied using companion and multiple step protocols. • Arbitrary loading using seismic recorders are also applied. • Chaboche models are used for numerical implementation. • Isotropic and Kinematic Hardening parameters are identified.