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Journal of Constructional Steel Research, Volume 69, Issue 1, February 2012, Pages 20-29
V.B. Nguyen, C.J. Wang, D.J. Mynors, M.A. English, M.A. Castellucci
Department of Engineering and Technology, University of Wolverhampton, Telford Campus, Telford, TF2 9NT, United Kingdom
Hadley Industries plc, PO Box 92, Downing Street, Smethwick, West Midlands, B66 2PA, United Kingdom
Abstract
This paper presents compression tests of cold-formed plain and dimpled steel columns. A series of compression and tensile tests were conducted on plain and dimpled steel of different geometries. For each group of geometries the source of material for both the plain and dimpled steel columns was taken from a single coil. Within each group the sections were fabricated either by press-braking or cold-rolled forming. The buckling and ultimate strength of the columns was investigated. The change in strength of the dimpled columns resulting from the cold working associated with the dimpling process was also considered. This paper contains the results obtained when comparing the test strengths of short plain and dimpled steel columns using a compression test. In outlining the work the test setup and testing procedure will be described. Enhancements in buckling and ultimate strengths were observed in the dimpled steel columns-caused by the cold-work of the material during the dimpling process. The results showed that the buckling and ultimate strengths of dimpled steel columns were up to 33% and 26% greater than plain steel columns, respectively.
Additional Information:
Dimpled steel products are increasingly used in a wide range of applications, including wall studs, framing and roofing members, corrugated panels, vineyard posts, windows and door reinforcement and many other products. The wider use of cold-formed dimpled steel members has promoted considerable interest in the local instability and strength of these members. Of particular interest is their buckling behaviour and ultimate strength capacity. Recent design specifications for cold-formed steel provide design criteria for compressive strength of cold-formed plain steel members. However, design criteria for compressive strength of such cold-formed dimpled steel members have not been available. The column compression tests in the paper enabled the test data for evaluation and establishing design procedures for cold-formed dimpled steel. Based on the experimental results, expressions for determining buckling and ultimate strengths of dimpled columns were formulated. Details of the design procedures of dimpled steel columns can be found in the accompanying article: Compressive strength tests and design of cold-formed plain and dimpled steel columns. In: Proceedings of the 21st International Specialty Conference on Cold-formed Steel Structures, St. Louis, Missouri, 24-25 October 2012. p127-142.