Testing and analysis of additively manufactured stainless steel CHS in compression

Additive manufacturing, also referred to as 3D printing, has the potential revolutionise construction industry, offering opportunities for enhanced design freedom and reduced material use. There is currently, however, very limited data concerning performance of additively manufactured metallic structural elements. To address this, an experimental numerical investigation into cross-sectional behaviour circular hollow sections (CHS), produced by powder bed fusion (PBF) from Grade 316L stainless steel powder, presented. The programme comprised tensile coupon tests, initial geometric imperfection measurements five axially loaded stub column tests on specimens with a range diameter-to-thickness (D/t) ratios. Similar that conventionally CHS was observed, more slender cross-sections displaying increased susceptible local buckling. In parallel study, simulations were carried out initially replicate results then conduct parametric studies extend capacity over wider D/t generated results, together other available test literature, used evaluate applicability existing approaches formed those additive manufacturing.