A Novel Approach to Improve the Distortional Buckling Strength of a Stiffened Cold-Formed Steel Channel Section under Axial Compression
Publication: Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 28, Issue 1
Abstract
This study investigates the distortional buckling strength of a partially closed cold-formed steel (CFS) channel section with intermediate web stiffeners and outward lips under axial compression. Generally, a closed CFS cross section has higher torsional resistance when compared to an open cross section. However, an open cross section is more popular in the construction industry. Despite the popularity of CFS open sections, distortional buckling can reduce the load-carrying capacity of such open cross sections. To improve the distortional buckling strength of the proposed selected section, a simple spacer plate is added externally to the channel section in the transverse direction. Initially, a numerical model is developed using the finite element software ANSYS, which is then validated against the experimental results available in the literature. A detailed parametric study was also conducted to investigate the influence of thickness, depth, and spacing of spacer plates on the distortional buckling strength of stiffened CFS channel sections. From the results of the parametric study, it was found that the presence of spacer plates can increase the axial capacity of stiffened CFS channel sections by as much as 32%. Finite element results were compared with the design strengths calculated in accordance with the direct strength method (DSM).
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Data Availability Statement
All of the data, models, and/or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 28 • Issue 1 • February 2023
Copyright
© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 13, 2021
Accepted: Jul 6, 2022
Published online: Sep 27, 2022
Published in print: Feb 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Feb 27, 2023
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Buckling
- Channels (waterway)
- Cold-formed steel
- Continuum mechanics
- Cross sections
- Distortion (structural)
- Dynamics (solid mechanics)
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering materials (by type)
- Engineering mechanics
- Finite element method
- Hydraulic engineering
- Hydraulic structures
- Materials engineering
- Mathematics
- Metals (material)
- Methodology (by type)
- Numerical methods
- Solid mechanics
- Steel
- Stiffening
- Structural behavior
- Structural dynamics
- Structural engineering
- Structural strength
- Water and water resources
- Waterways
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