Cold-Formed Cross-Sectional Folds with Optimal Signature Curve
Publication: Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 150, Issue 8
Abstract
A novel figure of merit based on the concept of signature curve for cold formed steel (CFS) cross sections is used to improve the structural member’s overall behavior regardless of length and boundary conditions. The objective is defined as the area under the signature curve, plus a penalty function that ensures improved performance over standard sections at specified lengths. Charged system search (CSS), a meta-heuristic optimization algorithm, is used to search the design space. End-use and other geometrical constraints suggested by previous studies are considered to arrive at practical cross sections. This includes limiting the fold angles to minimize sharp corners in the optimized cross sections, which might result in residual stresses that diminish axial capacity. Such nonlinear constraints are also taken into account using penalty functions to facilitate integration with the heuristic optimization process. The proposed strategy is examined through a couple of illustrative examples and is shown to yield higher axial capacity at all points when combined with the proper penalization. The optimized cross sections are also analyzed in simple-simple and clamped-clamped boundary conditions showing improved axial capacity compared to the standard lipped-channel sections with the same coil width.
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Data Availability Statement
Some of the data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. This includes the data associated with figures.
Acknowledgments
M. Tootkaboni acknowledges financial support from the Office of Naval Research, United States under Grant Nos. N00014-20-1-2849 (through MUST program at UMassD) and N00014-21-1-2570 and from the National Science Foundation, United States under Grant Nos. CMMI-1401575 and CMMI-1351742. The computational resources were provided by the Center for Scientific Computing and Data Science Research (CSCDR).
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 150 • Issue 8 • August 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 22, 2023
Accepted: Jan 9, 2024
Published online: May 25, 2024
Published in print: Aug 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Oct 25, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Algorithms
- Axial forces
- Boundary conditions
- Boundary value problem
- Cold-formed steel
- Continuum mechanics
- Cross sections
- Curvature
- Differential equations
- Dynamics (solid mechanics)
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering materials (by type)
- Engineering mechanics
- Equations (by type)
- Forces (type)
- Geometry
- Materials engineering
- Mathematics
- Metals (material)
- Solid mechanics
- Steel
- Structural behavior
- Structural engineering
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