A Numerical Study on Seismic Behavior of K-Braced Cold Formed Steel Frames

The use of cold-formed steel (CFS) members as the main framing elements in a structure is becoming more accepted in the housing industry, especially in low rise residential buildings, due to its unique advantages such as being cost-effective, light-weight and very easy to work with. One of commercially utilized types of lateral resistant systems for CFS structures is the K-braced system. Despite the research performed on this kind of bracing system, still there are many parameters that their influences on the lateral performances of the walls under static and dynamic loading have not been studied. Hence, more research work is required in order to clarify the many different aspects of the seismic performance of K-braced CFS shear walls, including rational estimation of the response modification factor, R, as well as the achievable ductility and strength.