Journal des structures en acier et de la construction

Direct Strength Method for Web Crippling of Cold-formed Steel C- and Z- sections Subjected to One-flange Loading

Abstract

Martin Dara and Cheng Yu

Cold-formed steel flexural members can experience buckling failure at the web when compressive loads are applied to the flanges. Determining the web crippling strength analytically can be difficult because it depends on various parameters including loading conditions, bearing length, thickness of the material, web inclination, flange lengths etc. Due to these parameters, the current design method was developed based on the experimental data only. The paper presents an attempt to develop a semi-analytical design approach for the web crippling strength using the Direct Strength Method concept. The focus is on the cold-formed steel C and Z sections subjected to onflange loading conditions. The research indicates that the Direct Strength Method is appropriate for predicting the web crippling strength. New design equations are proposed and verified by with the experimental results.