Finite Strip Method for Analysis of Cold‐Formed Purlins
Publication: Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 117, Issue 1
Abstract
Cold‐formed steel sections used as purlins in low‐rise industrial steel buildings are usually attached along one flange to the roofing material and are often supported along their span by sag rods. Under uplift loading, these sections rotate about the points of attachment to the roofing material, resulting in out‐of‐plane bending of the web. This out‐of‐plane bending of the web gives rise to stress variations that could influence the postbuckling capacity of the sections. Current specifications assume that cross‐sectional properties of cold‐formed members remain constant until failure occurs. The present paper describes the development of a numerical model, based on the finite strip method, which incorporates many factors, such as shear rigidity and rotational stiffness of roofing material, as well as the absence/presence of sag rods, which influence the behavior of cold‐formed steel purlins. Results indicate that the degree of out‐of‐plane bending of the web depends on the relative magnitude of these factors. Analysis of cold‐formed steel purlins was carried out efficiently and economically using the finite strip method.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 117 • Issue 1 • January 1991
Pages: 184 - 204
Copyright
Copyright © 1991 ASCE.
History
Published online: Jan 1, 1991
Published in print: Jan 1991
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