Performance of light gauge cold-formed steel flexural members subjected to non-uniform fire

Abstract

Light gauge cold-formed steel (CFS) construction is gaining the interest of structural engineers across the globe. The guidelines for CFS members at ambient temperature is covered in several codal provisions in developed nations and are still evolving with numerous researches. Past studies have shown the need for further research on CFS flexural members at elevated temperatures. From literature, it is found that most of the research in past has been focused on the uniformly elevated temperature. But in real-life scenarios, the CFS members might be subjected to non-uniform temperature distribution due to fire protection. Thus, this research aims to study the CFS flexural members under non-uniform thermal profile. In this study, CFS lipped channel flexural members are used under four-point loading and simply supported boundary condition, and five different thermal profiles. Simulation results show that the critical temperature and member structural behavior of the CFS flexure members are predominantly influenced by the thermal profile of the member.