Local and distortional buckling of cold-formed steel beams with both edge and intermediate stiffeners in their compression flanges

The true buckling behaviour of cold-formed steel beams with both edge and intermediate stiffeners in their compression flanges has been predicted with the aid of advanced numerical modelling. A series of nonlinear finite element analyses has been carried out to investigate the flexural behaviour of cold-formed Z sections with both edge and intermediate stiffeners in their flanges, when the failure is controlled by local and/or distortional buckling. The effect of the size and position of intermediate stiffeners as well as the effect of the edge stiffener/intermediate stiffener interaction on the buckling behaviour and ultimate strength of these sections has been studied. The knowledge gained from FE analyses was used to check the accuracy of the Eurocode design rules in predicting the ultimate strengths for these sections.     

Local/distortional mode interaction in cold-formed steel lipped channel beams

This paper reports a numerical investigation concerning the post-buckling behaviour of cold-formed steel lipped channel beams, subjected to uniform major axis bending, affected by local/distortional mode interaction – the results presented and discussed were obtained through shell finite element analyses performed using the code Abaqus. One analyses simply supported beams (locally/globally pinned and free to warp end sections) (i) with cross-section dimensions ensuring coincident local and distortional critical buckling moments and (ii) having critical-mode initial geometrical imperfections with different shapes and the same overall amplitude – local buckling is triggered either by the compressed flange (most common case) or by the web. The results reported consist of (i) elastic and elastic–plastic post-buckling equilibrium paths, (ii) curves and figures showing how the beam deformed configuration evolves along those paths and, for the elastic–plastic beams, (iii) figures making it possible to visualise (iii₁) the location and growth of plastic strains and (iii₂) the nature of the failure mechanisms detected.     

Finite element modelling of cold-formed steel beams under local buckling or combined local/distortional buckling

The finite element (FE) method is capable of solving the complex interactive buckling of cold-formed steel beams allowing for all important governing features such as geometrical imperfections, material nonlinearity, postbuckling, etc.; this is unlikely to be achieved by analytical methods. In this paper, two series of finite element models for buckling behaviour of laterally-restrained cold-formed steel Z-section beams have been developed with special reference to material and geometrical nonlinearities: one to allow for the possibility of combined local/distortional buckling and the other to allow for local buckling only. Four-point bending tests carried out by previous researchers have been used to verify the FE models. A simplified configuration of the test setup has been modelled in ABAQUS. In the local buckling FE models, distortional buckling has been restricted in the member using translational springs applied to the lip/flange corner of the beam. Predictions of load carrying capacity and deformed shapes exhibit excellent agreement with both the results from the more extensive models and laboratory tests. Further papers will exploit the developed FE models to investigate the different forms of buckling that occur in laterally-restrained cold-formed steel beams i.e. local, distortional and combined local/distortional.     

Simulation of cold-formed steel beams in local and distortional buckling with applications to the direct strength method

A nonlinear finite element (FE) model is developed to simulate two series of flexural tests, previously conducted by the authors, on industry standard cold-formed steel C- and Z-section beams. The previous tests focused on laterally braced beams with compression flange details that lead predominately to local buckling failures, in the first test series, and distortional buckling failures, in the second test series. The objectives of this paper are to (i) validate the FE model developed for simulation of the testing, (ii) perform parametric studies outside the bounds of the original tests with a particular focus on variation in yield stress and influence of moment gradient on failures, and (iii) apply the study results to examine and extend the Direct Strength Method of design. The developed FE model shows good agreement with the test data in terms of ultimate bending strength. Extension of the tested sections to cover yield stresses from 228 to 506 MPa indicates that the Direct Strength Method is applicable over this full range of yield stresses. The FE model is also applied to analyze the effect of moment gradient on distortional buckling. It is found that the distortional buckling strength of beams is increased due to the presence of moment gradient. Further, it is proposed and verified that the moment gradient effect on distortional buckling failures can be conservatively accounted for in the Direct Strength Method by using an elastic buckling moment that accounts for the moment gradient. An empirical equation, appropriate for use in design, to predict the increase in the elastic distortional buckling moment due to moment gradient, is developed.     

Coupled instabilities with distortional buckling in cold-formed steel lipped channel columns

The paper addresses the elastic post-buckling behaviours of cold-formed steel lipped channel simply supported columns affected by mode interaction phenomena involving distortional buckling, namely local/distortional, distortional/global (flexural-torsional) and local/distortional/global mode interaction. The results presented were obtained by means of Abaqus shell finite element analyses adopting column discretisations into fine 4-node element meshes. In order to enable a thorough assessment of all possible mode interaction effects, the column lengths and cross-section dimensions were carefully selected to ensure similar local, distortional and/or global buckling loads. One analyses otherwise identical (elastic) columns having initial geometrical imperfections (i) with various configurations (combinations of the competing critical buckling mode shapes) and (ii) sharing the same overall amplitude.     

Genetic programming-based formulation for distortional buckling stress of cold-formed steel members

The main purpose of the research is to develop formulations for estimating the Elastic distortional buckling stress (EDBS) of cold-formed steel member under compressive loading using Genetic programming (GP) which has not been applied so far. The required data used for the training and testing is collected from the literature. Two GP-based formulations are proposed to predict the elastic distortional buckling of cold formed steel C sections. The results of proposed GP formulations are compared with experimental and analytical results of different researchers and methods and found to be accurate. The results obtained from the formulas have shown that GP is a promising technique for predicting EDBS of cold-formed steel C sections.     

Flange/web distortional buckling of cold-formed steel sections in bending

Recent experimental tests of cold-formed steel C- and Z-sections in bending have revealed unconservative results in the prediction of the bending moment resistance, using the current North American Design Standards. The failure mode of these tests was identified as flange/web distortional buckling. This mode of failure initially involves a rotation of the lip/flange component about the flange/web corner, which typically occurs for short half-wavelength distortional buckling. Near ultimate failure, an apparent lateral movement of the flange/web corner, which includes transverse bending of the web, is experienced. Various analytical methods that predict the moment resistance of sections which experience short half-wavelength distortional buckling were investigated and compared with the applicable test data. The modified Lau and Hancock 2 Model, with S136-94 Standard calculated effective section modulus, is recommended for use as the North American predictor model for the flange/web distortional buckling moment resistance of cold-formed steel sections in bending.     

A new formulation for distortional buckling stress in cold-formed steel members

Distortional buckling of compression members usually comprises rotation and translation of each flange and lip about the flange-web connection in opposite directions. The present procedures for the calculation of elastic distortional buckling stress in the literature are very complex, cumbersome and have long expressions. In this paper a new neural network (NN) based formula is proposed for the determination of the elastic distortional buckling stress of cold-formed steel C-sections with both end sections pinned. The focus of this study is on the distortional buckling, for which existing results are for sections subjected to pure compression and/or pure bending only. The data used for training and testing NNs is taken from Schafer’s report. The NN-based estimates are compared with the experimental, numerical and analytical results of different researchers and methods. It was found that the proposed NN based-formula is practical in predicting the elastic distortional buckling stress of cold formed steel C-sections.     

Elastic buckling of cold-formed steel columns and beams with holes

Simplified methods for approximating the global, distortional, and local critical elastic buckling loads of cold-formed steel columns and beams with holes are developed and summarized. These methods provide engineering approximations appropriate for design, but are intended to be general enough to accommodate the range of hole shapes, locations, and spacings common in industry. The simplified methods are developed as a convenient alternative to shell finite element eigen-buckling analysis, which require laborious and subjective visual identification methods as well as commercial software not generally accessible to the engineering community. Global buckling of cold-formed steel beams and columns, including the influence of holes, is predicted with approximate “weighted average” cross-section properties formulated from classical energy-based stability solutions. Distortional and local buckling of a cold-formed steel member with holes are determined with the semi-analytical finite strip method, considering appropriate modifications to the element thickness and choice of buckling half-wavelength. The proposed methods are verified with shell finite element eigen-buckling studies. Unambiguous, simple methods for elastic buckling prediction of members with holes is central to the extension of the Direct Strength Method (DSM) for cold-formed steel member ultimate strength determination.     

Shear buckling characteristics of cold-formed steel channel beams

Cold-formed steel members are increasingly used as primary structural elements in the building industries around the world due to the availability of thin and high strength steels and advanced cold-forming technologies. Cold-formed lipped channel beams (LCB) are commonly used as flexural members such as floor joists and bearers. However, their shear capacities are determined based on conservative design rules. For the shear design of LCB web panels, their elastic shear buckling strength must be determined accurately including the potential post-buckling strength. Currently the elastic shear buckling coefficients of LCB web panels are determined by assuming conservatively that the web panels are simply supported at the junction between their flange and web elements. Hence finite element analyses were conducted to investigate the elastic shear buckling behavior of LCBs. An improved equation for the higher elastic shear buckling coefficient of LCBs was proposed based on finite element analysis results and included in the ultimate shear capacity equations of the North American cold-formed steel codes. Finite element analyses show that relatively short span LCBs without flange restraints are subjected to a new combined shear and flange distortion action due to the unbalanced shear flow. They also show that significant post-buckling strength is available for LCBs subjected to shear. New equations were also proposed in which post-buckling strength of LCBs was included.     

冷弯薄壁型钢构件畸变屈曲研究综述与分析

对冷弯薄壁型钢构件的畸变屈曲进行了较全面的综述,介绍了畸变屈曲的特点和性能,总结了国内外畸变屈曲的研究成果,最后对畸变屈曲尚待研究的问题进行了归纳和探讨。     

Elastic distortional buckling of doubly symmetric steel I-section beams with slender webs

Doubly symmetric steel I-section members with thin webs and stocky flanges have a tendency to buckle in a so-called distortional buckling mode, involving distortion of the web of the I-section in the plane of its cross-section. As this mode is more complicated than the local or global buckling, analytical expressions take empirical forms and vary in between different proposals. This paper has two main objectives. The first objective is to propose a complex finite strip method for distortional buckling analysis of I-section beams with slender webs and check the suitability for such analysis by comparing its accuracy with other methods and the second objective is to propose a simple method for predicting the distortional buckling loads of I-beams. The latter objective is superior to current methods with respect to the weight of the sections.     

Strength design curves and an effective width formula for cold-formed steel columns with distortional buckling

Distortional buckling mode of cold-formed steel thin-walled member is an unstable behavior, and in some cases it may govern the load-carrying capacity of the member. The source, evolution and performance of the formulas and test data for the two strength design curves developed by Hancock are studied, for predicting the load-carrying capacity in the distortional mode. A proposed strength design curve based on available test data and Hancock׳s strength design curves are then compared with the current design methods, the Direct Strength Method and the Effective Width Method, which are incorporated in the “North American specification for the design of cold-formed steel structural members” (AISI-NAS: 2007), “cold-formed steel structures” (AS/NAS 4600: 2005), and the Chinese “Technical specification for low-rise cold-formed thin-walled steel buildings” (JGJ 227-2011). The results indicate that the current design standards adopted the two strength design curves for the DSM and EWM, but they have some differences at the partial extent. A novel formula is proposed for dealing with this problem. The range of applicability of the proposed strength equation is extended from that in AS/NZS 4600 and is shown to be more accurate than AS/NZS 4600 when compared with that in the NAS S100.     

Strength of cold-formed lipped channel beams under interaction of local,distortional and lateral torsional buckling

Cold-formed thin-walled lipped channel steel beams may undergo buckling modes such as short half-wavelength local buckling, intermediate half-wavelength distortional buckling and long half-wavelength lateral-torsional buckling or a combination of these before failure. ABAQUS software based on finite element analysis is used to analyse the interaction behaviour of these buckling modes in this study. The finite element model, after calibration with experimental results available in the literature, is used to perform parametric studies, to evaluate the behaviour and strength of such beams under different types of interactions due to variation of material and member properties. The large volume of synthetic data thus generated over a range of failure modes along with the available test results are used to evaluate different equations for calculating the strength of such cold-formed lipped channel beams. Based on the comparison, a method for the design of lipped channel beams failing under the interaction of local, distortional and overall lateral torsional buckling is recommended.     

Study on distortional buckling performance of cold-formed thin-walled steel flexural Members with stiffeners in the flange

This paper presents a finite strip program CUFSM used to calculate and analyze the elastic distortional buckling of cold-formed thin-walled steel flexural members with stiffeners in the flange, which has different sectional geometric parameters. According to the classical buckling stress formula, the distortional buckling coefficient of the flange can be calculated so as to analyze the influence of changed sectional geometric parameters on it. On this basis, this study provides a simplified formula of distortional buckling stress to calculate 40 members with different sections which are selected from the Technical Code of Cold-Formed Thin-Wall Steel Structures of China but not contained in this paper. Compared with the analysis results of CUFSM, it shows that the two simplified formulas have quite high accuracy and wide applicability for general members provided by the specification. So it is suggested that they can be used for engineering design and standard revision.     

A parametric study for distortional buckling stress on cold-formed steel using a neural network

The process of prediction of distortional buckling stress of cold-formed steel members is often cumbersome and it is also difficult to perform parametric studies in this field to investigate the effect of geometric parameters on Elastic Distortional Buckling Stress (EDBS). To overcome this difficulty a neural network based model and formulation which was presented in a companion paper by the author [Pala M. A new formulation for distortional buckling stress in cold formed steel members. Journal of Constructional Steel Research 2006;62:716-22] is proposed as an alternative approach to investigate the effect of geometric parameters on distortional buckling stress. The model considers the effect of web height, flange width, angle of lip, lip length and flange thickness. The results of the Neural Network model are quite satisfactory and are consistent with the literature.     

Experimental investigations of cold-formed steel beams of corrugated web and built-up section for flanges

The steel beams of corrugated web represent a relatively new structural system which emerged in the past two decades. The thin corrugated web affords a significant weight reduction of these beams, compared with hot-rolled or welded ones. In the solutions existing on the market, the flanges are made of flat plates welded to the sinusoidal web sheet, requiring a specific welding technology. A new solution is proposed in this paper, in which the beam is composed by a web of trapezoidal cold-formed steel sheet and flanges of built-up cold-formed steel members (e.g. back-to-back lipped channel sections or angles with turn lips). The connections between flanges and web can be done by self-drilling screws or by spot welding. The first part of the study, summarised in this paper, is devoted to the evaluation and validation of technical solution, including experimental investigations, carried out at the CEMSIG Research Centre of the Politehnica University of Timisoara (http://www.ct.upt.ro/en/centre/cemsig). In a subsequent paper, numerical investigations aiming to optimise the solution and estimate its technical limits for applications will be presented.     

Effective Width Method for determining distortional buckling strength of cold-formed steel flexural C and Z sections

This paper proposes a design method, based on the Effective Width Method, for determining the nominal distortional buckling strength of typical cold-formed steel C and Z sections subjected to bending. The method can be integrated into the classic effective width design provisions specified in AISI S100, and it allows the conventional design approach to cover more comprehensive limit states. The proposed method is calibrated by the flexural distortional buckling strength predicted by the Direct Strength Method. Comparison with experimental results indicates that the proposed method yields reasonable predictions for the flexural distortional buckling strength of industrial standard C and Z sections. The method offers the same level of accuracy and reliability as the Direct Strength Method.     

腹板开矩形孔复杂卷边冷弯槽钢梁局部屈曲性能及直接强度法研究

为了研究腹板开孔复杂卷边冷弯槽钢梁的局部屈曲性能，以及探究北美冷弯型钢结构设计规范(AISI S100-2016)中腹板开孔冷弯槽钢梁局部屈曲直接强度法计算公式的可靠性，对孔高比(孔洞高度与腹板高度的比值)分别为0、0.2、0.4、0.6和0.8的10个腹板开矩形孔复杂卷边冷弯槽钢梁纯弯试件进行了静力试验研究。试验结果表明，开孔和不开孔试件均发生以局部屈曲为主的屈曲破坏模式，与不开孔试件相比，开孔试件的受弯承载力下降，且下降幅度随孔高比的增大而增大。利用ANSYS有限元程序对试验进行了模拟分析，分析结果与试验结果吻合良好；在此基础上，采用经试验验证的有限元模型，通过变换腹板高度、板厚和孔高比开展了有限元参数分析，并根据有限元参数分析结果对已有腹板开孔冷弯槽钢梁的弹性局部屈曲临界应力近似计算公式进行了修正。基于试验结果、有限元参数分析结果以及修正的弹性局部屈曲临界应力近似计算公式，对AISI S100-2016中开孔冷弯槽钢梁发生以局部屈曲为主破坏时的直接强度法计算公式进行了修正。     

工字钢-混凝土组合梁弹性约束畸变屈曲研究

约束畸变屈曲是不同于侧向屈曲和畸变屈曲的一类特殊的屈曲形式,通常发生在组合梁负弯矩区。基于弹性地基压杆方法对组合梁弹性约束畸变屈曲进行了研究。将Svensson压杆模型进行改进,考虑了腹板参与部分,并推导了两种基于改进压杆模型的变轴力稳定计算表达式。借助于有限元方法,分析了现有变轴力弹性地基压杆方法用于组合梁约束畸变屈曲的求解精度,研究结果表明：弹性地基压杆方法对组合梁作用纯弯矩及三角形负弯矩情况符合良好,但对非线性弯矩分布情况精度较差。对约束畸变屈曲引入等效弯矩假设,并对其适用性进行了分析,提出了约束畸变屈曲等效弯矩假设临界长度简化公式,进而通过三步简化实现了连续组合梁弹性约束畸变屈曲计算。图16表7参17