Numerical study of sheathed cold-formed steel columns

Abstract

A numerical investigation into the structural behaviour of sheathed cold-formed steel Clipped columns (studs) subjected to compression is presented in this paper. Sophisticated finite element models simulating single studs, set in tracks and connected to oriented strand board (OSB) and gypsum board sheathing, have been developed in ABAQUS and validated against experimental data from two different sources reported in the literature. The developed numerical models include initial geometrical imperfections and allow for geometrical and material nonlinearities in the analysis, while the contact interaction between the cold-formed steel columns and the boards, as well as the nonlinear behaviour of the employed fasteners, are explicitly replicated. Following successful validation of the finite element models, a numerical parametric investigation has been conducted. Analyses completed thus far indicate that substantial benefits in terms of capacity can be gained by the addition of sheathing to cold-formed steel members and that decreasing the spacing of the connectors leads to further performance gains.