Studies on cold-formed steel battened box columns under axial compression

Abstract

Details of experimental, theoretical and numerical investigations of pin-ended cold-formed steel battened box columns subjected to axial compression is presented in this paper. A finite element model was developed by using finite element analysis (FEA) software ABAQUS 6.10. It is proved that the results correlate well with the experimental results. Based on the limitation provided by AISI S100-2007, prequalified sections of single lipped channel sections are chosen for the study. Two different cross-sections of cold-formed steel lipped channel sections with different batten widths oriented to form a box section are chosen for this study. For these sections, spacing between the channels are formed such that Iᵧᵧ=2Iₓₓ. A parametric study, which involves the change in the slenderness ratio from 20 to 120, change in the batten width and in the number of battens is carried out for 44 columns. The theoretical analysis is based on the Direct Strength Method [DSM] and the results are compared with that of FEA. Based on the study, a design recommendation is proposed for DSM to find out the ultimate capacity of box battened columns.