Behaviour of Partially Closed Stiffened Cold-Formed Steel Compression Member

Abstract

Usually, thin-walled open column sections have an intrinsic weakness in their low torsional strength, which is unpleasant for resistance of an open section. The distortion behaviour of cold-formed steel open section has a significant role in structural steel design. Hence, initiativeness is made for converting partially closed section by adding simple spacer plates connected with self-tapping screws. The intend of this work is tested to estimate the competence of this solution by comparing the strength and performance of partially closed and open stiffened complex channel section under axial compression. The buckling characteristics of the section are computed using the linear elastic buckling analysis program CUFSM. The resistance and behaviour of the intermediate columns are examined in detail using finite element analysis software ANSYS. A good conformity between finite element analysis and experiments is found. The nominal design capacities are evaluated using the necessities of the direct strength method, North American iron and steel specification and Indian standard and are compared with those from test and finite element analysis. After this verification of the numerical model, a crucial parametric study is carried out to inspect the effect of vitiations on thickness, depth, spacing and slenderness of spacer plates. The particulars of this study and results are offered in this research article.