Cross-sectional flexural capacity of cold-formed laterally-restrained steel rectangular hollow flange beams

• Published in: Thin-walled structures Vol. 95; pp. 196 - 207
• Main Authors: Tondini, Nicola, Morbioli, Andrea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2015
• Subjects: Beams (structural); Cold-formed steel profiles; Cross sections; Experimental tests; Flanges; Flexural capacity; Houses; Mathematical models; Numerical modelling; Rectangular hollow flange beams; Structural steels; Thin walled; Cold-formed steel profiles; Rectangular hollow flange beams; Experimental tests; Numerical modelling; Flexural capacity
• ISSN: 0263-8231; 1879-3223
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tws.2015.06.018

This paper presents the results of a comprehensive experimental-numerical study aimed at determining the flexural performance of cold-formed laterally-restrained steel rectangular hollow flange beams (RHFBs). Two RHFBs of different dimensions were considered as representative of typical secondary beams in small steel-framed houses. Results of the experimental study that consisted of (i) material characterisation and (ii) tests on full-scale specimens are thoroughly presented. Moreover, a numerical work was performed in order to develop a model able to reproduce the experimental outcomes and used to expand the available findings over a wider slenderness range through parametric studies. •Complete experimental analysis of the bending capacity of cold-formed steel profiles.•Tests on rectangular hollow flange I symmetric sections.•Favourable flexural performance/weight ratio for structural applications as secondary beams.•Good agreement between numerical and experimental results.•EN1993 and Direct Strength Method predictions are on the safe side.