This paper describes an experimental study on
the response of rectangular and square hollow steel members to monotonic and
cyclic axial loading. Tensile monotonic tests were first performed on short
specimens in order to relate material strength to section resistance. The
observed results are compared to European and North American design provisions.
The cyclic tests included assessment of bracing specimens with various member
lengths and cross-section sizes. The objective of these tests was to examine
performance under idealised seismic loading conditions. In general, the steel
hollow brace members exhibited stable hysteresis behaviour up to the on-set of
local buckling, and then showed considerable degradation in strength and
ductility depending on their slenderness. The tests provide information on key
response parameters, including tensile and compressive strength, post-buckling
capacity as well as ductility and energy dissipation capabilities. Particular
attention is given to the influence of member slenderness. The experimental
findings are compared with the recommendations of a number of international
codes of practice, and areas of agreement or discrepancy are highlighted