Behavior of steel columns with double curvature: a numerical simulation and design-oriented parametric study

Abstract

Over the past few decades, architectural trends have increasingly favored expressive and fluid forms, moving away from rigid, rectilinear geometries. This evolution has been facilitated by advances in digital design tools and construction technologies, enabling architects to explore complex spatial configurations that were once impractical or impossible to realize. Among these transformations, the emergence of curved structural elements particularly non-linear columns has become a defining feature of contemporary design language. Curved columns are no longer viewed merely as support elements but are now often used to convey motion, rhythm, and continuity within a space. As highlighted by Hengsheng [1] in his study, curvature in modern architecture enhances not only the structural behavior through efficient load distribution but also the user’s spatial perception and the building’s environmental integration. The inclusion of curved or double-curved columns introduces significant challenges from a structural engineering standpoint (Fig. 1). Unlike traditional prismatic members, curved columns exhibit complex load paths and demand more sophisticated analysis techniques to capture their nonlinear response under axial and lateral forces. Standard design codes offer limited guidance for these geometries, prompting the need for customized modeling approaches.