Experimental investigation of aluminium beams subjected to transverse forces

The response of aluminium beams subjected to concentrated loading is investigated experimentally through a series of 52 tests. Three diffe rent aluminium alloy AA6082-T6 extrusions are included in the test pr ogramme: one double T section (DTS) and two square hollow sections wi th different wall thicknesses (SHS-3 and SHS-5). These profiles were tested as simply supported beams loaded either at the midspan or at t he end supports. The influence of bending and overhang was investigat ed, and both variables were found to have significant effect on the u ltimate load. In addition, for the SHS-5 beams, also the influence of load distribution was tested by loading through either a circular or a rectangular steel bar; larger capacities were observed when the ci rcular bar was used. The main objective of this work was to generate well-documented experimental results, and these results are compared with predictions obtained using the new European design code for alum inium structures, Eurocode 9.