Load capacity of uniformly compressed cold-formed steel section with punched web

Abstract

Load tests were carried out on 48 stub column specimens of cold-formed steel sections having flat widths of 82.5 and 144.7 mm, thicknesses of 1.60 and 1.29 mm, respectively, and various sizes and shapes of holes punched through their webs. This paper summarizes the experimental local buckling loads, ultimate loads, load–axial shortening relationships, and load–out-of-plane deflection relationships of the above specimens. Presently, the Canadian design code does not include any provisions in regards to the design of perforated cold-formed sections, owing to the lack of experimental results. A design approach using the present code "effective design width" for unstiffened elements is explored and the observations resulting from the comparison between the calculated values and the experimental values are given. The new American Iron and Steel Institute design specification gives an effective design width for cold-formed section with circular perforations. The appropriateness of this equation when applied to circular, square, and elongated openings is discussed. It appears that the design provisions of both codes are inadequate for the design of perforated cold-formed steel sections and further research is needed in this area. This is essential, considering the fact that, in practice, the cold-formed members often contain prepunched holes. Key words: axial load, buckling, building codes, cold-formed steel, effective design width, perforation, ultimate loads.