IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE)

ISSN: 2278-1684 PP: 27-36

www.iosrjournals.org

Load carrying capacity of innovative Cold Formed Steel column.

Sarvade S.M.1, Sarvade M.M.2
1

(Department of Structural Engineering, VJTI Mumbai, India)

(Department of Civil Engineering, Fabtech Technical Campus College of Engineering, Sangola, India)

ABSTRACT: Cold Formed Steel is an excellent alternative to the traditional hot-rolled steel section as it is
very light in weight and has a high strength to weight ratio. Considerable research has resulted in a simplified
method of CFS design known as Direct Strength Method (DSM). This method is now well established in the
codes of practices for the design of CFS because of its simplicity. With recent advances in the manufacturing
technology of CFS, it is possible to manufacture sections with perforations which are utilised for plumbing,
electrical and any other functional purpose. Current DSM method is validated mainly for the sections without
perforations. Due to its simplicity in predicting the capacity of the section, this method is employed to calculate
load carrying capacity of innovative CFS column sections with perforations by developing Finite Strip Models
and using Direct Strength Method. Freely available Finite Strip Program, CUFSM, is used for analysis.
Keywords: Cold Formed Steel, CUFSM, Direct Strength Method, Finite Strip Analysis, and Perforations.

1. INTRODUCTION
In countries like India, where there is scarcity of shelter, particularly for the economically backward class,
there is a need to provide an alternative which will provide an economical solution. Cold Formed Steel has the
potential to be that solution as it has Attractive appearance, Fast construction, Low maintenance, Easy
extension, Lower long-term cost, Non-shrinking and non-creeping at ambient temperatures, No requirement of
formwork, Termite-proof and rot proof, Uniform quality, Non combustibility. Also it is a recyclable material.
Cold formed steel beams and columns are typically manufactured with perforations to enhance their
functional use. For example, in low and midrise construction, holes are prepunched in columns to
accommodate the passage of utilities in the walls and ceilings of buildings as shown in Fig. 1.1. In case
of cold-formed steel storage rack columns, perforations allow for variable shelf configurations as shown
in Figure 1.2. Currently, Members with discrete holes, are limited to certain hole sizes, shapes, and
configurations. It greatly hampers an engineers design flexibility and decreases the reliability of coldformed steel components where holes exceed these prescriptive limits.

Figure 1.1 Perforations Pattern[1]

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Load carrying capacity of innovative Cold Formed Steel column

Figure 1.1 Hole patterns in storage rack columns[1]

2. DIRECT STRENGTH METHOD

DSM is relatively new and represents a major advancement in Cold Formed Steel design because it
provides engineers and cold formed steel manufactures with a tool to predict the strength of a member with any
general cross section. Cold-formed steel members are manufactures from thin sheet steel, and therefore member
resistance is influenced by cross-section instabilities (e.g. plate buckling and distortion of open cross section) in
addition to the global buckling influence considered in thicker hot rolled steel sections. DSM explicitly defines
the relationship between elastic buckling and load deformation response with empirical equations to predict
ultimate strength.
To calculate the capacity of cold formed steel member with DSM, the elastic buckling properties of a
general cold formed steel cross-section are obtained from an elastic buckling curve. This curve is generated by
employing the finite strip method.

2.1 Finite Strip Method

The Finite Strip Method (FSM) is the basis for the DSM. Similar to the Finite Element Method (FEM),
the FSM consists of segregating a member into longitudinal strips over the cross-section as shown in Figure 2.1.
Once a member is divided into strips, a numerical stability analysis is performed utilizing conventional matrix
techniques.

Figure 2.1.1 Coordinates, Degrees of Freedom, and Loads of a Typical Strip[2]

For a given distribution of edge tractions on a member the geometric stiffness scales linearly, this leads
to the stability eigenvalue problem of interest, which for a single eigen (buckling) mode, , and
eigen(buckling) value may be expressed as
Ke = Kg
(2.1)
Both Ke and Kg are a function of the strip length, a. Therefore, the elastic buckling value and the
corresponding buckling modes are also a function of a. The problem can be solved for several lengths, a, and
thus a complete picture of the elastic buckling value and modes can be determined. The minima of such a curve
can generally be considered as the critical buckling loads and modes for a member. CUFSM follows this
implementation and an example is provided in Figure 2.2
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Load carrying capacity of innovative Cold Formed Steel column

Figure 2.1.2 FSM Output.[2]

2.2 DSM Equations
Capacity of the column is calculated as per DSM based upon three limit states viz. global buckling,
local buckling and distortional buckling. The Global, Local, Distortional slenderness ratios are considered
correspondingly to calculate the section capacity as per the DSM equations. i.e.

2.2.1: Flexural, Torsional, or Torsional-Flexural Buckling.

The nominal axial strength, Pne for flexural, or torsional- flexural buckling is

For, c 1.5; Pne 0.658

c 2

0.877
For, c 1.5; Pne
P ...............................................................(2.2.1)
2 y

c
Py
Pcre
Py Ag Fy

c =

Where, Pcre= Minimum of the critical elastic column buckling load in flexural, torsional, or torsional-flexural
buckling.

2.2.2: Local Buckling.

The nominal axial strength, Pnl, for local buckling is,

For, l 0.776; Pnl Pne

0.4
0.4

Pcrl Pcrl
For, l 0.776; Pnl 1 0.15

Pne........................(2.2.2)

Pne
Pne

l =

Pne
Pcrl

Pcrl = Critical elastic local column buckling load.

2.2.3: Distortional Buckling.

The nominal axial strength, Pnd, for distortional buckling is

For, d 0.561; Pnd Py

0.6
0.6

Pcrd Pcrd
For, d 0.561; Pnd 1 0.25

Py .....................(2.2.3)

Py
Py

d =

Py
Pcrd

Pcrd= Critical elastic distortional column buckling load.

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Load carrying capacity of innovative Cold Formed Steel column

3. PROPOSED SECTION
The equations of DSM were modified by Moen C.D.[] to accommodate the influence of holes. He
proposed six alternatives out of which following equations predicted the column capacity more accurately.
Equation (2.2.3) was modified as,

For, d d 1 , Pnd Pynet

Pynet Pd 2
for d 1 d d 2 , Pnd Pynet
d d 1
d 2 d 1
for d d 2 ,

0.6
0.6

Pcrd Pcrd
Pnd 1 0.25

Py ...............(3.1)

Py Py

Pynet
When, d 1 0.561
;
Py

d 2

Py 0.4

;
0.561 14

13

Pynet

1.2
1.2

1 1

Pd 2 1 0.25

Py

d 2 d 2

Other equations remain same provided that the the critical elastic buckling loads Pcr, Pcrd, and Pcre are
calculated including the influence of holes.
Following member cross-section is proposed for the study. The thickness of the section is 3 mm and
overall length is 3m. The section has holes longitudinally at 200mm c/c.

Figure 3.1 Proposed Cross- section

3.1 Local Buckling

Local buckling in perforated column is assumed to occur either buckling in gross cross-section between
perforations (Pcrlnh) or buckling of the unstiffened strips of web adjacent to a perforation, (Pcrlh). The buckled
mode shape with the lowest critical buckling load is Pcrl. To get the value of Pcrnh , the gross cross section is
analysed in CUFSM. The procedure followed in this case is similar to the DSM design guide for unperforated
section.
The Pcrlh i.e. net section elastic buckling curve is generated in CUFSM by deleting all nodes and
elements in perforated region. Here to isolate the local buckling from distortional buckling, corners are to be
restrained in z-direction.
A reference stress of 6.894 N/mm2 is applied to the cross-section to generated the buckling loads.

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Load carrying capacity of innovative Cold Formed Steel column

9

10

11

12

15

16

17

18

13 14
8

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

Figure 3.2 Geometry of proposed section in CUFSM.

For gross cross section,
Analysis input, for 1 ksi, i.e. 6.894 N/mm2 stress,
Py=10522.63 N , Output gives load factor = 156.51 and half wave length = 200 mm

Pcrlnh
156.51
Py

Pcrlnh 156.5110522.63
Pcrlnh 1646.79 kN
For net cross section.
To isolate local buckling from distortional buckling, corners of the section are restained in z-direction.

Figure. 3.3 Net cross section in CUFSM

Analysis input, stress =6.894 N/mm2
Py=8868.07 N, output gives load factor =234.53 and half wave length = 60 mm,

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Load carrying capacity of innovative Cold Formed Steel column

Pcrlh
234.53
Py

Pcrlh 234.53 8868.07

Pcrlh 2079.81 kN
Pcrl is minimum of Pcrlnh and Pcrlh.
Pcrl =1646.79 kN.

3.2 Distortional Buckling.

The section does not have a distinct local minimum corresponding to distortional buckling (Figure 3.3), and
therefore a constrained finite strip analysis (Schafer and dny 2006) is performed in CUFSM to identify Lcrd
(Figure 3.6). The constrained finite strip analysis is performed with a straight corner model to obtain Lcrd
(Schafer and dny 2006). Analysis input, Stress = 6.894 N/mm2, Py=10522.63 N,
Output gives, Load factor =170.89 and half wave length = 200mm

Pcrd
170.89
Py

Pcrd 170.89 10552.63

Pcrd 1798.10 kN
Reduced web thickness is then found out and implemented in second finite strip analysis to get correct value of
Pcrd
The reduced web thickness is calculated with (Moen and Schafer 2009a)
1/ 3

L
tr 1 h t
Lcrd
1/ 3

20

tr 1
3
200
tr 2.896 mm
Where, Lh= length of hole.
Second finite strip analysis is performed with the reduced web thickness i.e.2.896 mm
Analysis input, Stress=6.984 N/mm2, Py= 10379.234 N.
Analysis output gives, Load factor = 150.46, half wave length =200 mm.

Pcrd
150.46
Py

Pcrd 150.46 10379.234

Pcrd 1561.62 kN
It is found that perforations result in 13% reduction in section capacity in distortion.

3.3 Global Buckling.

To restrain global translation in x-direction and tensional rotation about z- axis, Mid-height bracing is provided.
It results in following unbraced lengths. For unbraced column, K=1
Lx=1500 mm Kx=1.0
Ly=3000 mm Ky=1.0
Lt=1500 mm
Kt= 1.0
Holes are provided along length at 200 mm c/c. It results 13 nos of holes in 3000mm length. Therefore,
Lyg=3000-(13x 20)=2740 mm.
Lynet=(13x20)=260 mm.
Lxg=1370mm
Lxnet=130mm
Ltg=1370 mm
Ltnet=130 mm
As the holes are symmetrically placed, the geometric factor T is zero.
To calculate flexural and flexural torsional buckling, weighted average of section properties are calculated as
follows.
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Load carrying capacity of innovative Cold Formed Steel column

Table.3.1 Gross and Net section properties
(A) Gross Section Properties
Ag
mm.2
1526.34
Ix
mm.4
4255210.31
Iy
mm.4
2457248.32
rx
mm.
52.80
ry
mm.
40.12
4
J
mm.
4579.03
Cw
mm.6
37228958356.51
X0
mm.
0
Y0
mm.
129.22
Ix0
mm.4
4255210.31
Iy0
mm.4
27944175.66
rx0
mm.
52.80
ry0
mm.
135.30
ro
mm.
145.23

(B) Net Section Properties

Anet
mm.2
Ixnet
mm.4
Iynet
mm.4
rxnet
mm.
rynet
mm.
Jnet
mm.4
Cwnet
mm.6
X0net
mm.
Y0net
mm.
Ix0net
mm.4
Iy0net
mm.4
rx0net
mm.
ry0net
mm.
ronet
mm.

1286.34
3507985.55
1815748.32
52.22
37.57
3859.03
34951849828.87
0
156.21
3507985.55
33204456.28
52.22
160.66
168.93

Ix.Lxg Ixnet.Lxnet Tx( Ix Ixnet )

Lx
4255210.311500 3507985.55 130 0
I xavg
I xavg 4190450.83 mm 4
1500
Iy.Lyg Iynet.Lynet Ty ( Iy Iynet )
I yavg
Ly
2457248.32 2740 1815748.32 260 0
I yavg
I yavg 2401651.65 mm 4
300
r Lyg rynet Lynet Ty (ry rynet )
ryavg y

Ly

I xavg

40.12 2740 37.570 260 0

ryavg
ryavg 39.899 mm
3000

r Lxg rxnet Lxnet Tx(rx rxnet )

rxavg x

Lx

52.80 1370 52.22 130 0

rxavg
rxavg 52.749 mm
1500

J .Ltg J net .Ltnet Tt ( J J net )

J avg

Lt

4579.038 130 3859.03 130 0

4
J avg
J avg 4516.63 mm
1500

ro .Ltg ronet .Ltnet Tt ( ro ronet )

roavg

Lt

145.237 1370 168.93 130 0

roavg
roavg 147.29 mm
1500

yo .Ltg yonet .Ltnet Tt ( yo yonet )

yoavg

Lt

129.221 1370 156.21 130 0

yoavg
yoavg 131.56 mm
1500

xoavg 0

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Load carrying capacity of innovative Cold Formed Steel column

The warping constant, Cw, does not follow weighted average approximation. It has to be calculated
based upon distributed hole region in CUFSM or CUTWP. Distributed hole region, dh* , is calculated as given
by Moen and Schafer 2009a.
In this case, there are two patterns of holes, due to symmetry, dh* is calculated as follows,
h= 50-3=47 mm
h0=h , out to out depth of element containing hole.
0.2

d h* d h

d
1
ho d h h
2
ho

d h* 20

1
20
47 20
2
47

0.2

d h* 31.379 mm
C wavg 0.641 in 6

3.3.1 Global Buckling Loads. (AISI-S100-07, section C4)

2 EI xavg
ex
2
A. K x .Lx

ex
ey
ey

2 203395.34 4190450.83
1526.34 11500

2449.44N/mm 2

2 EI yavg

A. K y .Ly

2 203395.34 2401651.65
1526.34 1 3000

350.95N/mm 2

2 ECwavg
G.J avg
2
Kt .Lt

1
2 203395.34 32489574138.784
t
77910.75

4516.63

883.114 N/mm 2
2
1526.34 147.292
11500

1
A.roavg 2

y
=1- oavg
roavg

(AISI Eq C 4.1.2-3)

131.56
=0.202
147.29
1
2

(AISI Eq C 4.1.2-1)
ex t ex t 4. ex . t
2
1
2

350.95 883.114 350.95 883.114 4 0.202 350.95 883.114

2 0.202
319.65 N/mm 2

=1-
eyxt
eyxt
eyxt

Pcre A Min ( ex , ey , eyxt )

Pcre 1526.34 (319.65)
Pcre 487.903 kN

3.4 Ultimate strength calculations.

Inputs are, Pynet=8.868 kN, Py=10.522 kN, Pcrl=1646.79 kN, Pcrd=1561.62 kN, Pcre=487.903 kN.
From DSM Equations.(refer section 2.2)

3.4.1 DSM Global buckling Strength.

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Load carrying capacity of innovative Cold Formed Steel column

c =

Py
Pcre

c =

10522
=0.1468
487903

For, c 1.5; Pne 0.658c Py

Pne 0.6580.1468 10522

2

Pne 10.47 kN
3.4.2 DSM local buckling Strength.
Pne
Pcrl

l =

10.47
=0.079
1646.79
For, l 0.776; Pnl Min (Pne ,Pynet )

l =

Pnl Min (10.47,8.868)

Pnl 8.868 kN
3.4.3 DSM Distorsional buckling Strength.
d =

Py
.
Pcrd

d =

10.522
=0.082
1561.62

Pynet

Py
8.868
0.561
0.472
10.522
0.4

Py
0.561 14
13

Pynet

d 1 0.561
d 1
d 2

d 2 0.561 14

10.522

8.868

0.4

13 1.117

1.2
1.2

1 1

Pd 2 1 0.25
Py

d 2

d2
1.2
1.2

1
1

Pd 2 1 0.25

10.522 = 7.19 kN

1.117 1.117

For, d d 1 , Pnd Pynet

Pnd 8.868 kN

Predicted column capacity,

Pn= Min (Pne, PnL, Pnd)
Pn=8.868 kN.

4. CONCLUSION
Direct Strength Method is simple and has wide applicability. It does not depend upon effective width
calculations and iterations. Most importantly it encourages engineers to optimise the section for the most
effective use. Perforations providing functional advantage generate complexities in the analysis and design at
the same time. Conventional method based upon effective width concept become tedious to apply for innovative
sections. In this paper DSM is applied to calculate load carrying capacity of the innovative cold formed steel
column. It is found that there is considerable decrease in the distortional buckling and overall column capacity
due to perforations.

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Load carrying capacity of innovative Cold Formed Steel column

REFERENCES
1.

Moen, C.D., Direct Strength Design for Cold-Formed Steel Members with Perforations, Ph.D. Thesis, Johns Hopkins University,
Baltimore, (2008)
2.
Z. Li , Schafer BW, Buckling analysis of cold-formed steel members with general boundary conditions using CUFSM:
conventional and constrained finite strip methods , Twentieth International Specialty Conference on Cold-Formed Steel
Structures Saint Louis, Missouri, USA, November 3 & 4, 2010
3.
Schafer, B. W., and Adany, S. (2006) Buckling analysis of cold-formed steel members using CUFSM, conventional and
constrained finite strip methods. Proc., 18th Int. Specialty Conf. on Cold-Formed SteelStructures, 3954,
4.
Schafer B. W. (2006), Designing Cold-Formed Steel Using the Direct Strength Method, 18th International Specialty
Conference on Cold-Formed Steel Structures, Orlando, Florida October 26-27, 2006,
5.
Schafer B.W., Review: The Direct Strength Method of cold-formed steel member design, Journal of Constructional Steel
Research 64 (2008) 766778, ELSEVIER, (2008)
6.
Moen, C.D., and Schafer, B.W. "Experiments on cold-formed steel columns with holes." Thin-Walled Structures, 46, 1164-1182.
(2008)
7.
Moen, C.D., and Schafer, B.W. (2009a). "Elastic buckling of cold-formed steel columns and beams with holes." Thin-Walled
Structures, 31(12), 2812-2824
8.
Moen, C.D., and Schafer, B.W. (2009b). "Elastic buckling of thin plates with holes in compression and bending." Thin-Walled
Structures, 47(12), 1597-1607
9.
Moen, C.D., and Schafer, B.W. (2011), Direct strength design method for design of cold formed column with holes, Journal of
Structural Engineering, Vol. 137, No. 5, May 1, 2011 ASCE.
10. American Iron and Steel Institute,AISI-S100-07, AISI Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members.
American Iron and Steel Institute. Washington, D.C.(2007)

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