Optimisation of self-supporting rack structures

Optimisation of self-supporting rack structures

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Due to the competitivity in the market of self-supporting storage rack structures, the optimisation of these structures is a key issue and the use of elements made of cold-formed section allows to reach efficient solutions. This doctoral thesis takes place in this context, by investigating two different solutions.

The first addressed topic concerns the design against fatigue actions of elements on which a pallet shuttle is circulating. The most common way is to apply the damaged method requiring the use of S-N verification curves, available for a wide range of structural details in the European code EN1993-1-9. However, the details met in the investigated self-supporting rack structures are not covered by the codes. So, analytical and experimental investigations are conducted in the framework of this thesis to derive these S-N curve.

The second topic concerns the characterisation of uncommon bolted joints between thick and thin members made of cold-formed steel sections. In particular,  analytical, numerical and experimental investigations are conducted on joint configurations typical for rack structures with the final goal to propose consolidated design methods in agreement with the Eurocode recommendations.

This doctoral thesis takes place in the framework of a Walloon Region project called ACTIONS (Advanced euroCodes’ compliant Tools for Industrial Optimized iNnovative Structures ), in which industrial partners (STOW & GDTech) and a research center (CRM group) are also involved.