• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.363-383
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• 2017

In cold-formed stainless steel lipped channel-sections, use of web openings for service purposes are becoming increasingly popular. Web openings, however, result in the sections becoming more susceptible to web crippling. This paper presents a finite element investigation into the web crippling strength of cold-formed stainless steel lipped channel-sections with circular web openings under the interior-two-flange (ITF) loading condition. The cases of web openings located centred and offset to the bearing plates are considered in this study. In order to take into account the influence of the circular web openings, a parametric study involving 2,220 finite element analyses was performed, covering duplex EN1.4462, austenitic EN1.4404 and ferritic EN1.4003 stainless steel grades. From the results of the parametric study, strength reduction factor equations are proposed. The strengths obtained from reduction factor equations are first compared to the strengths calculated from the equations recently proposed for cold-formed carbon steel lipped channel-sections. It is demonstrated that the strength reduction factor equations proposed for cold-formed carbon steel are unconservative for the stainless steel grades by up to 17%. New coefficients for web crippling strength reduction factor equations are then proposed that can be applied to all three stainless steel grades.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.5 no.2_3
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• pp.235-246
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• 2005

Local buckling is a major consideration in the design of thin-walled cold-formed steel sections. The main effect of local buckling in plate elements under longitudinal compressive stresses is to cause a redistribution of the stresses in which the greatest portion of the load is carried near the supporting edges of the plate junctions. The redistribution produces increased stresses near the plate junctions and high bending stresses as a result of plate flexure, leading to ultimate loads below the squash load of the section. In singly symmetric cross-sections, the redistribution of longitudinal stress caused by local buckling also produces a shift of the line of action of internal force (shift of effective centroid). The fundamentally different effects of local buckling on the behaviour of pin-ended and fixed-ended singly symmetric columns lead to inconsistencies in traditional design approaches. The paper describes local buckling and shift of effective centroid of thin-walled cold-formed steel channel columns. Tests of channel columns have been described. The experimental local buckling loads were compared with the theoretical local buckling loads obtained using an elastic finite strip buckling analysis. The shift of the effective centroid was also compared with the shift predicted using the Australian/New Zealand and American specifications for cold-formed steel structures.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.665-672
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• 2017

Cold-formed steel is widely used in steel structures, especially in transmission towers, because of advantages such as low weight, high strength, excellent mechanical properties, etc. However, there is not a special design code for cold-formed steel use in transmission towers in China. For this study, a total of 105 compression members were tested statically to investigate the bearing capacity of cold-formed steel members under different boundary conditions in transmission towers. The test results were compared to the results predicted by the current design codes. For deeper insight, additional coupled members were simulated using finite element analysis. An improved design method was developed based on the experimental and analytical results.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.727-734
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• 2017

This paper describes a quasi-static finite element analysis, which uses the explicit integration method, of the apex joint of a cold-formed steel portal frame. Such cold-formed steel joints are semi-rigid as a result of bolt-hole elongation. Furthermore, the channel-sections that are being connected have a reduced moment capacity as a result of a bimoment. In the finite element model described, the bolt-holes and bolt shanks are all physically modelled, with contact defined between them. The force-displacement curves obtained from the quasi-static analysis are shown to be similar to those of the experimental test results, both in terms of stiffness as well as failure load. It is demonstrated that quasi-static finite element analysis can be used to predict the behavior of cold-formed steel portal frame joints and overcome convergence issues experienced in static finite element analysis.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.577-589
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• 2023

In this study, on-site testing was carried out to investigate the vibration performance of a cold-formed thin-walled steel floor system. Ambient vibration, walking excitation (single and double persons), and impulsive excitation (heel-drop and jumping) were considered to capture the primary vibration parameters (natural frequencies, damping ratios, and mode shapes) and vertical acceleration response. Meanwhile, to discuss the influence of cement fiberboard on structural vibration, the primary vibration parameters were compared between the systems with and without the installation of cement fiberboard. Based on the experimental analysis, the cold-formed thin-walled steel floor possesses high frequency (> 10 Hz) and damping (> 2%); the installed cement fiberboard mainly increases the mass of floor system without effectively increasing the floor stiffness and may reduce the effects of primary vibration parameters on acceleration response; and the human-structure interaction should be considered when analyzing the vibration serviceability. The comparison of the experimental results with those in the AISC Design Guide indicates that the cold-formed thin-walled steel floor exhibits acceptable vibration serviceability. A crest factor 𝛽_rp (ratio of peak to root-mean-square accelerations) is proposed to determine the root-mean-square acceleration for convenience.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.323-337
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• 2006

In this paper, the hysteretic behaviors of channel and C-section cold-formed steel members (CFSMs) under cyclic axial loading were simulated with the finite element method. Geometric and material nonlinearities, Bauschinger effect, strain hardening and strength improvement at corner zones were taken into account. Extensive numerical results indicated that, as the width-to-thickness ratio increases, local buckling occurs prematurely. As a result, the hysteretic behavior of the CFSMs degrades and their energy dissipation capability decreases. Due to the presence of lips, the hysteretic behavior of a C-section steel member is superior to that of its corresponding channel section. The intermediate stiffeners in a C-section steel member postpone the occurrence of local buckling and change its shapes, which can greatly improve its hysteretic behavior and energy dissipation capability. Therefore, the CFSMs with a large width-to-thickness ratio can be improved by adding lips and intermediate stiffeners, and can be used more extensively in residential buildings located in seismic areas.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.383-398
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• 2011

This paper investigates the nonlinear analysis of concrete-filled steel composite columns subjected to axial loading to predict the ultimate load capacity and behaviour of the columns. Finite element software LUSAS is used to conduct the nonlinear analyses. The accuracy of the finite element modelling is verified by comparing the result with the corresponding experimental result reported by other researchers. Nonlinear analyses are done to study and develop different shapes and number of cold-formed steel sheeting stiffeners with various thicknesses of cold-formed steel sheets. Effects of the parameters on the ultimate axial load capacity and ductility of the concrete-filled steel composite columns are examined. Effects of variables such as concrete compressive strength $f_c$ and cold-formed steel sheet yield stress $f_{yp}$ on the ultimate axial load capacity of the columns are also investigated. The results are shown in the form of axial load-normalized axial shortening plots. It is concluded from the study that the ultimate axial load capacity and behaviour of the concrete-filled steel composite columns can be accurately predicted by the proposed finite element modelling. Results in this study demonstrate that the ultimate axial load capacity and ductility of the columns are affected with various thicknesses of steel sheets and different shapes and number of stiffeners. Also, compressive strength $f_c$ of the concrete and yield stress $f_{yp}$ of the cold-formed steel sheet influence the performance of the columns significantly.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 1999

The graphitization is affected by the addition of small amount of the elements(such as Si, Al, Ni, B, Cr and Mn etc.) and the pre-treatment(such as cold rolling). Boron is well known element to accelerate the graphitization of cementite in high carbon steels. Also, cold rolling is known to accelerate the graphitization. But the graphitization nucleation mechanism by cold rolling is few reported. Therefore the effect of cold rolling in Fe-0.5%C-1.0%Si-0.47%Mn-0.005%B steel on the graphitization is investigated quantitatively using hardness test, optical microscope and scanning electron microscope, neutron induced microscopic radiography. The nucleation of graphite in cold-rolled Fe-0.5%C-1.0%Si-0.47%Mn-0.005%B steel is formed at void which is formed at pearlite/pearlite boundary by cold rolling. But the effect of cold rolling on graphitization in boron addition steel is more effective than that of no boron addition steel due to segregation of BN at void in boron addition steel.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1331-1351
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• 2015

Cold-formed built-up members are compression members that are common in multiple areas of steel construction, which include cold-formed steel joints and stud walls. These members are vulnerable to unique buckling behaviors; however, limited experimental research has been done in this area. Give this gap, experimental testing of 71 built-up members was conducted in this study. The variations of the test specimens include multiple lengths, intermediate welds, orientations, and thicknesses. The experimental testing was devised to observe the different buckling modes of the built-up C-channels and the effects of the geometrical properties; to check for applicability of multiple intermediate welding patterns; and to evaluate both the 2001 and 2007 editions of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) Specification for built-up members in pure compression. The AISI-2001 and AISI-2007 were found to give inconsistent results that at times were un-conservative or overly conservative in terms of axial strength. It was also found that orientation of the member has an important impact on the maximum failure load on the member.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.2 no.5
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• pp.397-410
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• 2002

The main aim of the present paper is to present the results of a full-scale experimental investigation to study the structural behaviour of composite steel beams. The composite beam was made of cold-formed steel section shapes filled with reinforced concrete. First a comprehensive description of the experimental results in terms of: deflections, deformations, slippage and stress levels on critical steps of the load path is presented. The experimental results were then compared to theoretical values obtained by the use of an analytical model based on ultimate limit state stress blocks. Finally, a practical application of the use of this structural solution is depicted.