Numerical Evaluation of CSA S16 Design Requirements for Class 4 RHS Members

This paper presents a numerical evaluation of the CSA S16 design requirements for rectangular hollow section (RHS) members with slender elements. A total of 385 nonlinear finite-element models (342 compression members and 43 flexural members), validated from experimental results obtained in the literature, were developed. Parametric studies were performed to investigate the effect of key parameters on the nominal resistance. Reliability analyses were conducted to determine the inherent safety indices which are compared, herein, to the target reliability index outlined in CSA S16. Results show that the design method for Class 4 RHS compression members in CSA S16 Clause 13.3.4 is over-conservative. The predominant design method for Class 4 RHS flexural members in CSA S16 Clause 13.5 is also conservative, but by a lesser margin.