Local Stability of Stocky and Slender WAAM Stainless Steel Equal Angle Sections

In order to study the local stability and material properties of WAAM 316L stainless steel outstand elements, a series of equal angle section (EAS) stub columns and tensile coupons have been produced, with two print thicknesses achieved by utilizing two sets of manufacturing parameters. The geometries of the EAS samples were analysed before they were tested in compression. Subsequently, the failure modes and stability of the specimens were studied and related to the measured geometries, as well as being compared to those of conventional, rolled EAS specimens. It is concluded that a new geometric parameter should be used when predicting the behaviour of stocky and slender sections, and that the Continuous Strength Method and the Effective Width Equation in Eurocode 3 should be used respectively.