Design for openings in cold-formed steel channel stub columns

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the ultimate load capacity of perforated cold-formed steel channel stub columns. A design equation has been developed to determine the ultimate load capacity of perforated channel short columns containing either single or multiple openings of square, circular and manufacturer's opening shape. The equation is based on extensive parametric studies carried out using finite element modelling on plain and lipped channel sections containing openings. A wide range of parameters such as plate slenderness, opening shapes and sizes have been considered in the study. Web plate slenderness and opening area ratio are the two main variables used to derive the design equations. The accuracy of the proposed design equation is established by comparison with a number of experimental and finite element results reported by other researchers. © 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.