Geometry and Material Effects on Steel Column Performance Under Axial Loads

Abstract

This study presents a comparative analysis of three structural geometries-rectangular columns, I-shaped beams, and hollow circular tubes—fabricated from ASTM A36 and AISI 4340 steels under axial loading conditions ranging from 50 to 250 kN. Stress capacity, deflection, and strain responses were evaluated to determine the influence of geometry and material selection on structural efficiency. Results indicate that hollow circular tubes exhibit the highest stress capacity, particularly when manufactured from AISI 4340 steel, achieving values up to (1.99 E⁺⁷, N/m^2) at 250 KN. However, this advantage is accompanied by increased deflections, raising potential serviceability concerns. I-shaped columns in AISI 4340 provide a balanced performance, combining near maximum stress resistance with reduced deflections (≈ 0.08 m). Rectangular columns consistently underperformed across both materials, underscoring their limited efficiency in high-load applications. The findings highlight the critical role of geometry optimization and material selection in enhancing structural performance, with implications for the design of load-bearing systems in civil and mechanical engineering.