Structural features of cold-formed steel profiles

Abstract

Using capacity of cold-formed steel sections increases thanks to the opportunities which are offered by the developing technology. Low production cost and variety of profiles that can be produce easy, fast, high quality provide to improve its popularity as a structural material. In production, Sulphur and Phosphorous accumulation region occurs at intersection region of flanges and web of hot rolled steel profile. This causes to decrease strength of profile. Other difference between cold-formed and hot rolled steel sections is that mechanical properties of steel material homogeneously distributes throughout the profile. Both in frame and truss systems, cold-formed steel profiles develop both as main and secondary bearing element. These present variety options to the designers with pure, galvanized, aluminized applications. As with many building materials, mechanical behavior of cold-formed steel profile is quite complex due to the nature of thin walled steel sections. Design and analysis methods of cold-formed steel profile are rapidly shaped day by day. The general theory of beams investigated in past studies make possible analyses of cold-formed steel profile. Moreover, in structural systems, using of cold-formed steel profile provide height strength besides sustainable, environmentalist, green building because it requires less material and cost. Although these profiles have many advantages, use of cold-formed steel profiles in our country structures is rather limited unfortunately. New steel construction regulations in Turkey also do not mention cold-formed thin walled steel structure. Main purpose of this study reviews structural specifications of cold-formed steel profiles which are applied world-wide.