@CCB1
Unfortunately, one of the columns has deformation for almost the entire length of the column.
@hokie66
There is no fracture or separation of the base plate noted. Your thoughts on this does make sense, but I need some way to justify it. Not sure if it's as simple as assuming a larger section modulus. But a lot of steel does go through cold-forming to create new sections, I suppose this is no different.
I guess another question also, is a constant freeze and thaw of the water over the seasons going to be a bad thing for the column. If your section modulus idea is right, then I should just check to see if there is enough capacity of the section to withstand the hoop stress from the freezing of the water, because every time it thaws, it will take the new shape of the column and freeze again and expand.