• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.1369-1388
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• 2016

This study is an effort to clearly recognize the seismic damages occurred in strap-braced cold formed steel frames. In order to serve this purpose, a detailed investigation was conducted on 9 full scale strap-braced CFS walls and the required data were derived from the results of the experiments. As a consequence, quantitative and qualitative damage indices have been proposed in three seismic performance levels. Moreover, in order to assess seismic performance of the strap-braced CFS frames, a total of 8 models categorized into three types are utilized. Based on the experimental results, structural characteristics are calculated and all frames have been modeled as single degree of freedom systems. Incremental dynamic analysis using OPENSEES software is utilized to calculate seismic demand of the strap-braced CFS walls. Finally, fragility curves are calculated based on three damage limit states proposed by this paper. The results showed that the use of cladding and other elements, which contribute positively to the lateral stiffness and strength, increase the efficiency of strap-braced CFS walls in seismic events.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.323-335
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• 2013

This work aims to study the effect of stiffener ties in the behavior of intermediate length open section Cold-Formed Steel (CFS) Columns under axial compression. A comparative study on the behaviour and strength of Cold Formed Steel Columns by changing the direction of projection of lips (i.e., inwards or outwards) are also done. In this work two types of sections were considered Type-I section with lip projecting outwards (hat) and Type-II section with lip projecting inwards (channel). The length of the columns is predicted by performing elastic buckling analysis using CUFSM software. The theoretical analysis is performed using DSM - S100;2007, AS/NZ: 4600-2005 and IS: 801-1975. The compression tests are carried out in a 400 kN loading frame with hinged-hinged end condition. The non-linear numerical analysis is performed using Finite Element software ANSYS 12.0 to simulate the experimental results. Extensive parametric study is carried out by varying the width and spacing of the stiffener ties. The results are compared; the effects of stiffener ties on behaviour and load carrying capacity on both types of columns are discussed.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.497-512
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• 2023

Using light weight concrete as infill material in conventional cold-formed steel (CFS) shear wall systems can considerably increase their load bearing capacity, ductility, integrity and fire resistance. The compressive strength of the filler concrete is a key factor affecting the structural behaviour of the composite wall systems, and therefore, achieving maximum compressive strength in lightweight concrete while maintaining its lightweight properties is of significant importance. In this study a new type of optimum polystyrene lightweight concrete (OPLC) with high compressive strength is developed for infill material in composite CFS shear wall systems. To study the seismic behaviour of the OPLC-filled CFS shear wall systems, two full scale wall specimens are tested under cyclic loading condition. The effects of OPLC on load-bearing capacity, failure mode, ductility, energy dissipation capacity, and stiffness degradation of the walls are investigated. It is shown that the use of OPLC as infill in CFS shear walls can considerably improve their seismic performance by: (i) preventing the premature buckling of the stud members, and (ii) changing the dominant failure mode from brittle to ductile thanks to the bond-slip behaviour between OPLC and CFS studs. It is also shown that the design equations proposed by EC8 and ACI 318-14 standards overestimate the shear force capacity of OPLC-filled CFS shear wall systems by up to 80%. This shows it is necessary to propose methods with higher efficiency to predict the capacity of these systems for practical applications.