Abstract
The construction and building sectors are currently responsible globally for a significant share of the total energy consumption and energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. The use of Modern Methods of Construction can help reduce this, one example being the use of cold-formed steel (CFS) construction. CFS channel sections have inherent advantages, such as their high strength-to-weight ratio and excellent potential for recycling and reusing. CFS members can be rolled into different cross-sectional shapes and optimizing these shapes can further improve their load-bearing capacities, resulting in a more economical and efficient building solution. Conversely, the high thermal conductivity of steel can lead to thermal bridges, which can significantly reduce the building’s thermal performance and energy efficiency. Hence, it is also essential to consider the thermal energy performance of the CFS structures. This paper reviews the existing studies on the structural optimization of CFS sections and the thermal performance of such CFS structures. In total, over 160 articles were critically reviewed. The methodologies used in the existing literature for optimizing CFS members for both structural and thermal performances have been summarized and presented systematically. Research gaps from the existing body of knowledge have been identified, providing guidelines for future research.
Highlights
Academic Editor: FranciscoClimate change is one of the most critical challenges that the world is facing today.The building sector plays an important role in the energy consumption and emissions released from the buildings [1,2]
Up to 156% gain in the capacity can be obtained by the optimized section
Up to 90% gain in capacity can be achieved for very short columns by adding strategically placed web stiffeners or double-fold lips
Summary
Climate change is one of the most critical challenges that the world is facing today. A study in the UK [5] stated that if without any action, the greenhouse gas emissions from buildings would be more than doubling in the two decades due to the inefficiencies of the existing building technologies Such a boom in construction provides a significant resource-saving potential from depletion. For many people, staying at home due to extensively long lockdown periods turns into a new lifestyle, which leads to more consumption of resources, such as energy usage It highlights the significance of fulfilling rigorous energy-saving provisions for new houses and retrofitting and improving the energy efficiency of the building envelopes [10,11]. This paper brings together the existing research on the structural optimization of CFS sections and the thermal performance of CFS framed structures to provide an overview of how CFS construction can contribute to a more sustainable built environment. From the existing body of knowledge, research gaps were identified, providing recommendations for future research
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