Innovative Cold-Formed Steel I-joist

Abstract

An experimental study was performed to consider the varied strength issues related to the adequate performance of an I-joist having an open web configuration. The strength issues include clinching requirements to achieve the closed chord profile, the shear strength of the edge stiffened open web, and the flexure capacity of the closed chords. Based on the test program, two clinch types were studied and it was determined that clinch type "R" was more structurally effective. Also, a maximum spacing of three inches on center was required to preclude a premature failure of the clinch connection. Both the shear and the flexural capacity of the I-joist can be adequately predicted by using the design provisions of the North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members (2001).