Research on lateral buckling of eccentrically compressed H-shaped section aluminum alloy perforated members

•Analysis on lateral buckling of H-shaped section 6082-T6 aluminum alloy perforated members is carried out through experiments.•Finite element model is established to predict the critical buckling load.•Design method of stability bearing capacity is proposed according to existing specification. Aluminum alloy members are widely used in various engineering fields because of the light weight and corrosion resistance. However, the existing research on the stability of the aluminum alloy beam-column with web openings is insufficient. This study carried out the eccentrically compressed tests for 60 H-shaped section aluminum alloy perforated members, taking the opening number, opening diameter, slenderness ratio, and eccentricity distance around major axis as main variables. The tested specimens showed obvious lateral buckling. The effects of web openings on buckling mode, stability bearing capacity, longitudinal deformation, lateral deformation, and strain development of the member are studied. The influence of each variable on the mechanical properties is studied, which provides the basis for design of the structure members. Several main parameters are analyzed in depth using verified finite element model. Based on the results of test and FEA, the design method for lateral stability bearing capacity of H-shaped section aluminum alloy perforated members is proposed with reference to existing specifications.