Biaxial bending of cold-formed angle members

Abstract

Theoretical load–deflection relationships for cold-formed angles under biaxial bending using the Galerkin method are presented. The computational difficulties encountered in the exact solution of differential equations of equilibrium involving 12 unknown constants in 12 simultaneous equations are pointed out. A computer program for pinned-end boundary conditions was developed to estimate the deflection components of the shear centre, to calculate the total stress at various points in the cross section, and to predict the ultimate strength of the cold-formed angle sections connected by one leg. Failure is assumed to have occurred when the total stress at any point on the cross section reaches the value of yield stress, compressive or tensile, or when there is a change of sign for at least one of the deflection components. A table giving the ultimate compressive strength of two commonly used cold-formed angles for various gauge distances is included. The theoretical load–deflection curves are compared with experimental results and typical curves for three test specimens are also presented.