History of Structural Stability Research Council

The origin, growth and contributions of the Structural Stability Research Council are examined. Originally named the Column Research Council, the organization has annually provided a forum on structural stability by bringing together researchers from all parts of the world. The Council has initiated research, and it has cooperated with specification writing bodies. Three successive editions of the council's design guide have been published; a fourth is underway. Research contributions include: (1) The recognition and quantification of the residual stress effect on column stability; (2) the definition and application of the strain-hardening modulus in steel; (3) the determination of maximum inelastic column strength; and, (4) through the council's technical memoranda, the establishment of methods and criteria for tests of columns and metals in compression.