Study of Behaviour of Web-Stiffened Built-up Beam

Abstract

Behaviour of cold-formed steel built-up beams with web stiffeners and the results of flexural buckling strength are presented in this paper. Cold-formed steel sections are used to minimize heat loss, providing thermal insulation to the structure hence making the structure more sustainable. Investigation of simply supported built-up section beam configuration has been conducted under uniform bending with forked edge condition. The built-up section is formed by placing web-stiffened channels to form closed section by using the self-tapping screws. Intermediate stiffeners were employed to the webs of built-up sections to improve the buckling strength. The numerical models of selected sections were developed and validated against the results reported by Wang (2017) and kankanamge (2010). The parametric study is carried out to study the influence of different cross sections by varying thickness, height to width ratio and length of the beams. Buckling analysis was performed on selected parametric models by the finite element software ABAQUS and by the suitability of design methods established in EN1993-1.1. The moment carrying capacity and buckling design resistance was also investigated using the developed finite element model. Critical buckling moments obtained from the analysis were compared with the results predicted by using EUROCODE specifications and discussed.KeywordsBuckling strengthBuilt-up beamCross sectionsDesign resistanceThermal insulation