Experimental and Numerical Study on Single-Bolted Cold-Formed Angles under Tension and Compression

Zacharias C Fasoulakis,Tassos P Avraam,Ioannis G Raftoyiannis

doi:10.3389/fbuil.2017.00075

Zacharias C Fasoulakis, Tassos P Avraam + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2017.00075

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Abstract

Angle sections are commonly designed to bear only axial force, usually neglecting the additional bending moments resulting from the eccentric connection and the shift of the effective centroid. The current work deals with the capacity of single-bolted equal angle sections made from cold-formed steel. The experimental investigation presented herein includes tension and compression tests which subsequently are compared with the corresponding code provisions. Numerical analyses are also presented based on a detailed finite element simulation. Finally, a reliability analysis is implemented in order to demonstrate the reliability of the design rules for cold-formed steel angle columns. Results indicate a small discrepancy on the strength prediction in general by EN 1993-1-3, as well as by the AISI for slender columns and a more conservative one by EN 1993-1-1. A comparison of the above results is clearly illustrated herein in graphical forms.

Highlights

It is generally accepted that cold-formed steel design can lead to lighter and more economical structures
The effective area for outstand compression elements without stiffeners is determined through the reduction factor, ρ, according to the expression implemented by EN 19931-5 (CEN, 2009c): ρ
A more sophisticated finite element model, incorporating the cold-formed effects, should be employed, since bigger capacities have been obtained in previous work of the authors (Fasoulakis et al, 2016)

Summary

Introduction

It is generally accepted that cold-formed steel design can lead to lighter and more economical structures. Angle sections in conjunction with simple bolted connections may facilitate an easy erection. Angle sections are widely used in trusses, such as latticed transmission and telecommunication towers. The complexity implied by the eccentric axial load coupled with the asymmetric effective cross section makes the design process more laborious, without providing simultaneously sufficient approximation. The latter facts stress the importance of the issue.

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