International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume V, Issue I, January 2018 | ISSN 2321–2705

Design Strength and Structural Behaviour of Cold

Formed Steel Plain Angle Members Subjected To
Tension Load
Paul Makesh.A1, Arivalagan.S2
1
Research Scholar, Dr. M.G.R Educational and Research Institute University,Chennai, India.
2
HOD of Civil Engg, Dr. M.G.R Educational and Research Institute University, Chennai, India.

Abstract: Cold formed steel is a basic components in construction

II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
of lightweight prefabricated structures like stud frame panels,
trusses and prefabricated structures. Typically columns, beams Experiments on cold formed angle tension members were
and angles etc. are different globally. This research work deals initiated by Holcomb et al.[1] at the University of Missouri-
with the details of an Experimental on cold-formed steel section
Rolla. They conducted 27 tests consisting of equal and
subjected to tension load. This analysis carries single angle
sections of 3mm and 4mm and double angles sections of 3mm
unequal, angle thickness and connection eccentricity. [2]
and 4mm under plain (without Lipped) and with Lipped Schafer (2014) characterized geometric imperfections and
conditions subjected to tension. The papers present the load residual stresses in the numerical analysis, found the moment
carrying capacity of single angles lipped section increases by capacity of laterally braced cold-formed steel flexural
26% in 3mm and double angles by 29% in 3mm compare with members with edge stiffened flanges which were affected by
plain angles in 4mm. Analyses were carried out for thirty six local or distortional buckling. They presented a new
numbers of angle sections under condition such as Lipped were procedure for buckling stress in local and distortional mode.
connected same side to gusset plate and connected to opposite [3]
Gotloru et al. (2013) studied the behavior of cold formed
side. Simultaneously, ultimate compressive strength of cold
steel beams having open sections, which were subjected to
formed members has been investigated.
torsion. They focused only on beams subjected to bending
Keywords: Bucking behavior; Tension members; Cold-formed and torsion. They conducted a series of experimental study on
angles; Net section, Block Shear; Shear lag effect. angle sections and compared the result with simple geometric
analysis, finite element analysis and finite strip analysis
I. INTRODUCTION results.[4] Dubinq & Ungureanu( 2014) made an analysis to
study the influence of imperfections on the behavior of cold
C old formed steel products are made by bending a flat
sheet of steel at room temperature; into a shape that will
support more loads the flat sheet itself. Cold formed steel
formed steel members. They paid special attention to the
characterization and codification of imperfections for non-
members are manufactures by cold rolling or press bracking linear FEM simulation. [5] Young & Hancock (2012)
and the plain angle sections are generally made by bending a experimentally investigated the cold formed steel channel
plain sheet. Hence the original strip is converted into two section to combined bending and web crippling. A series of
distinct regions, corner portion and flat portion. Due to the tests on unlipped channels rolled from high strength steel with
cold forming, the mechanical properties of steel get modified. thickness of 6mm and maximum web slenderness of 45 were
Generally there are four types of buckling such as local conducted. The test results were discussed with the degree of
buckling, Flexural buckling, Torsional buckling and accuracy with the Australian / New Zealand standards
Distortional bucking. Global bucking is a bucking mode (AS\NZS 1996) and American Iron and steel Institute (AISI
where the member deforms with no deformation in its cross 1996) specifications and an interaction equation for strength
sectional shape, consistent with classical beam theory. Local prediction for combined bending and web crippling was
bucking is normally defined as the mode which plate-like presented.
deformations alone, without the translation of the intersecting This paper presents the effect of shear lag on the tensile
lines of adjacent plate elements. Torsional buckling causes capacities of cold formed angles. Practically angles are
the element to twist parallel to the loading. Distortional connected with gusset plates through one leg and due to this
bucking is a mode with cross- sectional that involves the there will be non- uniform stress distribution due to
translation the some of fold lines (intersection lines of Eccentrically applied load. The unconnected portion of a
adjacent plate elements). section is not fully effective in carrying the applied load.

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International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume V, Issue I, January 2018 | ISSN 2321–2705

Thus, the whole cross-section may not be fully utilized,

which causes a reduction in the net section efficiency. Shear
lag phenomenon is illustrated the unequal stress distribution,
near to the connection region when subjected to tension. To
simplify the design procedure of tension members,
considerable amount of research has been carried out and
some of their results are already incorporated in various
international codes of practice. All the above investigations
Fig.1 Tensile coupon test specimen
were made for the hot rolled double angle sections. There
were only limited investigations for cold-formed steel
members. The present investigation aims to study the
behavior of cold-formed steel angle members.
III. EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION
A totally thirty six experiments were conducted on single and
double angle specimen of 3 mm and 4mm thickness which
were connected to the gusset plate under eccentric tensile
loads. The specimens were fabricated from 3mm and 4mm
thickness cold- formed steel sheets of grade ST- 34-1079 by
bending and press breaking operations. The tensile coupon
test as per ASTM A370-03a specification shown in Fig 1, The Fig. 2 Test – Setup
reading were tabulated of yield stress, ultimate stress,
modulus of elasticity and elongation obtained for these
thicknesses of cold formed steel sheets as given in Table 1.
Table 1 Properties of Cold formes steel

Thickness of steel sheet 3mm 4mm

2
Yield Stress in MPa (fy) 232N/mm 244N/mm2
Ultimate Stress in MPa (fu) 263N/mm2 271N/mm2
5 2
Modulus of Elasticity 2.07x10 N/mm 2.11x105 N/mm2
fu/fy 1.13 1.11
Percentage elongation 11 % 13 % Fig.3 Dimension of Various parameters.
Width of connected

Connection length

Shear lag distance

Bold Diameter bd

Pitch Distance p
Edge Distance d
connected leg b

End Distance c

eccentricity x
Thickness t

Connection
No of bolts
Width of
Specimen I.d

Leg a

Lc

bs
NO

mm mm mm mm Mm mm Nos. mm mm mm
mm
50,60
50,60 &70 3& 4 10 24 20 30 3 30 10.61 72.00
&70
Single angle without Lip
1 Equal Angles
25,30
50,60 &70 10 24 20 30 3 30 10.61
&35 3 &4 72.00
Unequal Angles

50,60
2 50,60 &70 3& 4 10 24 20 30 3 30 10.61
Single angle with Lip &70 72.00

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International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume V, Issue I, January 2018 | ISSN 2321–2705

Equal Angles
25,30
50,60 &70 10 24 20 30 3 30 10.61
Unequal Angles &35 3 &4 72.00
25,30
50,60 &70 3& 4 10 24 20 30 3 30 10.61
Double angle on opposite &35 72.00
side without Lip
3
Equal Angles 25,30
50,60 &70 10 24 20 30 3 30 10.61
&35 3 &4 72.00
Unequal Angles
25,30
50,60 &70 3& 4 10 24 20 30 3 30 10.61
Double angle on opposite &35 72.00
4 side with Lip
5 Equal Angles 25,30
50,60 &70 10 24 20 30 3 30 10.61
&35 3 &4 72.00
Unequal Angles
25,30
50,60 &70 3& 4 10 24 20 30 3 30 10.61
Double angle on opposite &35 72.00
side with Lip
5
Equal Angles 25,30
50,60 &70 10 24 20 30 3 30 10.61
&35 3 &4 72.00
Unequal Angles
25,30
50,60 &70 3& 4 10 24 20 30 3 30 10.61
Double angle on same side &35 72.00
without Lip
6
Equal Angles 25,30
50,60 &70 10 24 20 30 3 30 10.61
&35 3 &4 72.00
Unequal Angles
Table 2 Detail of test specimens

The specimens were tested as two different section

configurations namely single angles and double angles. The
single angle specimens were connected with their larger leg to
end gusset plates of mild steel of 8mm thickness. Ordinary
black bolts of 10mm diameter are used as connectors for
specimens made from 3mm and 4mm. In case of specimens
fabricated from 3mm and 4mm thickness sheet 10mm
diameter bolts were used. The double angle specimens were
connected with their larger leg with two mild steel gusset
plates of 8mm using ordinary black bolts of 10mm diameter.
The gusset plates were not reused for single angle specimens
and were reused for double angle specimens. The required
numbers of bolts are calculated for all specimens and were
provided according to the design procedures. All the Fig.4 Single angle without Lip
specimens were fabricated for a length of 500mm. The width
of the gusset plate was kept 10mm more than the width of the
connected leg. The length of gusset plate was provided
according to the requirement of pitch and edge distance as per
Indian code of practice. All the members were connected with
gusset plate to the larger side by means of bolts.
The load is gradually applied with suitable increments from
control panel and at each increment of loads corresponding
elongation was taken. The yield, ultimate and breaking loads
were also observed. The distance of separation between
gusset plate and test specimens was also recorded. The
procedure is repeated till the failure stage is reached in all
specimens. The observed yield load and ultimate load of the Fig.6 Double angle on same side without Lip
specimens tested are recorded.

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International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume V, Issue I, January 2018 | ISSN 2321–2705

\ Fig.8 Cold formed steel sheet

Fig.9 Angles fixed in universal testing machine (UTM)

IV. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Ultimate Load-Carrying Capacity
A total of thirty six specimens have been tested by varying the
angle sizes, number of bolts and the bolt pitch distance. All
the specimens have been designed to undergo net section
Fig.5 Single angle with Lip rupture failure. The specimens are equal angles of dimensions
50x50mm, 60x60mm and 70x70 mm and they have equal
length 500mm and thickness 3 mm and 4mm and unequal
angle of 50x25mm, 60x30mm and 70x35 mm and they have
equal length 500mm and thickness 3 and 4 mm respectively.
The experimental ultimate loads for all the cold-formed steel
single angles are presented in Table 3. It is observed that
comparison of 3mm and 4mm thickness, single equal lipped
angles the average increase in ultimate load is 1.22 times
greater than that of single equal plain angles. From this
research observed that when the cross-sectional area
increases, the load carrying capacity increases.
Fig.7 Double angle on opposite side without Lip

Yield Load (Pyl)

Design Strength
Size of Ultimate Load (PUl) kN kN
S.No ( (PDS)
Description Specimen
3mm 4mm 3mm 4mm 3mm 4mm
50x50x3 96.28 115.54 77.64 93.94 46.59 56.84
60x60x2 119.48 143.38 96.35 116.58 57.81 70.53
1
Single angle 70x70x2 140.54 168.65 113.34 137.14 68.00 82.96
without Lip 50x25x2 67.68 81.22 54.58 66.04 32.75 39.96
3
60x30x2 84.06 100.87 67.79 82.03 40.67 49.62
70x35x2 101.35 121.62 81.73 98.89 49.04 59.83
50x50x2 112.96 135.55 91.09 110.22 54.66 66.69
60x60x2 136.11 163.33 109.77 132.82 65.86 80.35
2
Single angle with 70x70x2 149.69 179.63 120.72 146.07 72.43 88.36
Lip 50x25x2 85.93 103.12 69.30 83.85 41.58 50.73
6
60x30x2 102.45 122.94 82.62 99.97 49.57 60.48
70x35x2 118.98 142.78 95.95 116.10 57.57 70.24

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International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume V, Issue I, January 2018 | ISSN 2321–2705

50x50x2 182.14 218.57 146.89 177.74 88.13 107.52

60x60x2 224.02 268.82 180.66 218.60 108.40 132.25
3 Double angle on 70x70x2 265.89 319.07 214.43 259.46 128.66 156.97
opposite side
50x25x2 136.60 163.92 110.16 133.29 66.10 80.64
without
3 Lip
60x30x2 169.65 203.58 136.82 165.55 82.09 100.15
70x35x2 202.70 243.24 163.47 197.80 98.08 119.66
50x50x2 215.64 258.77 173.91 210.43 104.34 127.29
60x60x2 257.51 309.01 207.67 251.28 124.60 152.01
Double angle on 70x70x2 299.39 359.27 241.44 292.14 144.86 176.73
opposite side with
4 Lip 50x25x2 171.86 206.23 138.59 167.69 83.16 101.46
60x30x2 204.91 245.89 165.25 199.95 99.15 120.96
70x35x2 237.95 285.54 191.90 232.20 115.14 140.47

50x50x2 182.14 218.57 146.89 177.74 88.13 107.52

5 Double angle on 60x60x2 224.02 268.82 180.66 218.60 108.40 132.25

same side 70x70x2 265.89 319.07 214.43 259.46 128.66 156.97
without
6 Lip 50x25x2 136.60 163.92 110.16 133.29 66.10 80.64
60x30x2 169.65 203.58 136.82 165.55 82.09 100.15
70x35x2 202.70 243.24 163.47 197.80 98.08 119.66
50x50x2 215.64 258.77 173.91 210.43 104.34 127.29

Double angle on 60x60x2 268.55 322.26 216.57 262.05 129.94 158.53

6 same side 70x70x2 312.22 374.66 251.79 304.67 151.07 184.31
with Lip 50x25x2 171.86 206.23 138.59 167.69 83.16 101.46
60x30x2 215.92 259.10 174.13 210.70 104.48 127.47
70x35x2 237.95 285.54 191.90 232.20 115.14 140.47

Table 3 Ultimate Load-Carrying Capacity

Load vs Deflection
The typical load versus deflection has shown in Fig 10 to Fig 100
15 to shows the behavior for single angles with and without
Load KN

lips and double angles. From the graphs, it is observed that 50 50x25x3
the ultimate load carrying capacity increases as the cross-
sectional area and number of bolts in the connection 0 60x30x3
increases. It is also observed that when the rigidity of the
connection increases the stiffness of the member also 0 6 11 18 14 30 70x35x3
increases. Deflection mm

80
Fig.11 Load vs Deflection behavior of Double angle opposite side specimen -
60 50x25x3 without Lip (3mm)
Load KN

40 60x30x3 60
Load KN

70x35x3 40
20 50x50x3
20
0 0 60x60x3
0 4 8 12 15 18 21 30 0 6 11 18 14 30
70x70x3
Deflection mm Deflection mm
Fig.10 Load vs Deflection behavior of single plain angle specimen – without
Lip (3mm)
Fig.12 Load vs Deflection behavior of unequal single plain angle specimen -
without Lip ( 4mm)

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International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume V, Issue I, January 2018 | ISSN 2321–2705

60 plates for both single and double angle members. Thus, a gap
50 was formed between the corner of the connected leg and the
Load KN

40 gusset plate. This is referred as local bending. The mode of

30
20 failure depends upon the cross section and rigidity of
10 50x50x4
connection. Finally, the plate tears along a horizontal line that
0 60x60x4 is coincident with the widest point of the bolt hole in tearing
0 6 11 18 14 30 failure. The design strength of tension members are not
70x70x4 always controlled by factor of safety or by the strength of the
Deflection mm bolts or welds with which they are connected. After necking,
the critical cross-section was torn out from the edge of the
connected leg to the hole then to the corner of the angle. The
specimens carried some amount of load beyond the ultimate
Fig.13 Load vs Deflection behavior of single unequal angle specimen – with load and until failure. It was noted that all the bolts were still
lip tight after completion of the tests. This indicates that the bolts
were not highly stressed during the tests.
30
25 The outstanding leg which is subjected to compression
20 experiences, local buckling nearer to the supports.
15 50x25x4
10
60x30x4
5
70x35x4
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Deflection mm

Fig.14 Load vs Deflection behavior of unequal single plain angle specimen -

with lip(4mm)

60
50 50x50x4
40 60x60x4
30 Fig.16 Single Plain angle without Lip (3mm)
20 70x70x4
10
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Deflection mm

Fig.15 Load vs Deflection behavior of unequal double angle specimen - with

lip

Modes of Failure
The modes of failure of all single and double angle specimens
were noticed during testing. Generally tearing failure, block
shear failure, net section fracture failure were observed as in
Figure16 and 17.As the load was being applied, the corners of Fig.17 Double angle without Lip (4mm)
the angle at the two ends gradually separated from the gusset

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International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume V, Issue I, January 2018 | ISSN 2321–2705

S.N Specimens Size / Mode of failure Size / Mode of failure Size / Mode of failure Size / Mode of failure
o angles angles angles angles
( 3mm) ( 4mm) ( 3mm) ( 4mm)
Single angle without Lip Single angle with Lip

50x50x3 - Net Section 50x50x4-Net Section 50x50x3-Net Section 50x50x4-Net Section

Equal angles 60x60x3- Block Shear 60x60x4-Block Shear 60x60x3-Block Shear 60x60x4-Block Shear
1
70x70x3 - Net Section 70x70x4- Net Section 70x70x3-Net Section 70x70x4-Net Section
Unequal Angles
50x25x3- BlockShear 50x25x4 Block Shear 50x25x3Block Shear 50x25x4 Block Shear
60x30x3 Block Shear 60x30x4 Block Shear 60x30x3- Block Shear 60x30x4 Block Shear
70x35x3- Block Shear 70x35x4-Block Shear 70x35x3 - Block Shear 70x35x4-Block Shear
Double angle on opposite side with Lip
Double angle on opposite side without Lip
50x50x3 - Net Section 50x50x4- Net Section 50x50x3-Net Section 50x50x4- Net Section
60x60x3- Block Shear 60x60x4-Block Shear 60x60x3-Block Shear 60x60x4-Block Shear
2 Equal angles 70x70x3 - Net section 70x70x4- Net Section 70x70x3- Net Section 70x70x4- Net Section
50x25x3- BlockShear 50x25x4- Block Shear 50x25x3 Block Shear 50x25x4 Block Shear
60x30x3- Block Shear 60x30x4- Block Shear 60x30x3 Block Shear 60x30x4 Block Shear
Unequal Angles 70x35x3 - BlockShear 70x35x4-Block Shear 70x35x3-Block Shear 70x35x4-Block Shear

Double angle on same side without Lip Double angle on same side with Lip

50x50x3 - Net Section 50x50x4- Net Section 50x50x3-Net Section 50x50x4- Net Section
3 Equal angles
4 60x60x3- Block Shear 60x60x4-Block Shear 60x60x3-Block Shear 60x60x4-Block Shear
4 70x70x3 - Net Section 70x70x4- Net Section 70x70x3- Net Section 70x70x4- Net Section
50x25x3 Block Shear 50x25x4 Block Shear 50x25x3 Block Shear 50x25x4 Block Shear

Unequal Angles 60x30x3 Block Shear 60x30x4 Block Shear 60x30x3 Block Shear 60x30x4 Block Shear

70x35x3 - Block Shear 70x35x4-Block Shear 70x35x3-Block Shear 70x35x4-Block Shear

Table 4. Mode of failure

V. CONCLUSIONS bolted cold-formed steel angles, Journal of Constructional Steel

Research, Vol.64, 2008, pp, 571-583.
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concluded. 42, pp 1177 - 1198.
[4]. Chi-Ling Pan, (2006), Shear Lag Effect on Bolted L-Shaped
1. The load carrying capacity of single angles lipped section Cold-Formed Steel Tension Members, Eighteenth International
increases by 26% in 3mm and double angles by 29% in Specialty Conference on Cold-Formed Steel Structures Orlando,
3mm compare with plain angles in 4mm. Florida, U.S.A, October 26 & 27, pp.679-694.
[5]. Jaghan S and Padmapriya R, (2015), “Behavior of Bolted Cold
2. Results were recorded as the load carrying capacity Formed Steel Channel Tension Members”, Asian Journal of Civil
increases for connected to the opposite side of the gusset Engineering (BHRC), Vol.17, NO. 1, pp.137-146.
than the connected to same side. [6]. Kulak, G. and Wu, E. (1997). "Shear Lag in Bolted Angle
Tension Members." Journal of Structural Engineering, Volume
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