Technical Papers
Jun 8, 2024

Design of Slender Built-Up Back-to-Back CFS Channel Columns with Pinned Warping-Free Ends

Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 150, Issue 8

Abstract

Built-up back-to-back cold-formed steel (CFS) channel members (BBC members) are utilized as CFS compression members with enhanced load-bearing capacity in building structures. In this study, finite-element (FE) models of BBC compression members with pinned warping-fixed and pinned warping-free ends were established and verified using test results available in the literature. Using the developed FE models, detailed parametric studies were conducted to assess the behavior and capacity of slender BBC compression members with pinned warping-free ends, varying cross sections, and screw arrangements. The results were first compared with those of their individual (channel) members and BBC members with pinned warping-fixed ends. They were then used to evaluate the direct strength method (DSM) design rules in the CFS design standards used in North America and Australia/New Zealand. Finally, new reliable design rules based on the DSM equations and some analytical equations in the literature were proposed for the BBC compression members with pinned warping-free ends, together with suitable recommendations. This paper includes the main details of this study with a summary of its important findings and proposals.

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Data Availability Statement

Some or all data, models, or codes that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Acknowledgments

The authors appreciate the financial support and research facilities provided by the Queensland University of Technology, Australian Research Council (Grant No. LP170100951), and the National Association of Steel-Framed Housing (NASH). They also wish to thank NASH Executive Director Ken Watson and NASH Standards Committee members for their valuable technical support. The first author appreciates the help of Professor Kim Rasmussen from the University of Sydney by providing the corrected equations [Eqs. (14) and (19)] from his paper.

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Go to Journal of Structural Engineering
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 150Issue 8August 2024

History

Received: Jun 22, 2023
Accepted: Feb 2, 2024
Published online: Jun 8, 2024
Published in print: Aug 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Nov 8, 2024

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Research Assistant, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Queensland Univ. of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7658-815X. Email: [email protected]
Professor, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Queensland Univ. of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia (corresponding author). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7306-8821. Email: [email protected]

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