Experimental, theoretical and numerical study on thin walled steel single and compound channel sections in axial compression

This investigation presents a detailed description of experimental, theoretical and numerical studies of the flexural buckling strength of cold-formed steel (CFS) channel stub columns. A total of 24 single channels, double channels welded back to back and double channels welded as box sections both with and without lip stub columns are tested till failure with hinged ends and their behavior is studied. An attempt is made to study the effect of lip, and the effect of symmetricity of cross-section on the ultimate load carrying capacity. The flat width to thickness ratio of all the specimens are kept less than the limiting value as per IS 801-1975. Geometric and material non-linearity have been included in the finite element model. The design column strengths calculated using the finite element analysis (FEA) are compared with the IS: 801(1975), BS: 5950 (Part 5) and NAS manual. It is shown that the design column strengths calculated based on the codal specifications generally are conservative with experimental and numerical strengths.