Nonlinear Buckling Analysis of Cold-Formed Channel Sections

Abstract

The main objective of this paper is to provide an efficient and accurate finite element model to understand the behavior of cold-formed steel channel columns. The effects of initial local and overall geometric imperfections have been taken into consideration in the analysis. Failure loads and buckling modes as well as load-shortening curves of plain channel columns were investigated in this study. The nonlinear finite element model was verified against experimental results. The finite element analysis was performed on plain channels compressed between pinned ends over different column lengths, and column curves were obtained. An extensive parametric study was carried out using the finite element model to study the load eccentricity on the strength and behavior of channel columns. The column strengths predicted from the finite element model were compared with the design strengths calculated using the European Code, EN 1993-1-3 Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures - Part 1-3: General rules - Supplementary rules for cold-formed members and sheeting, for cold-formed steel structures.