Compression Capacity of Cold Formed Steel Angle studs

In this study, an investigation on buckling modes of cold formed steel members, design methods and also behavior of angle studs are illustrated. ANSYS software is employed in order to analysis the sections taking into account geometry imperfection as well as materials nonlinearity. The materials properties are extracted from experimental coupon tests. The models are verified based on full-scale specimens which are tested the laboratory of the University of Isfahan. Of particular interest are the specimens’ maximum compression capacity and general shape of failure modes of the samples which is local buckling in the angles. In addition, compression capacities of desired sections are evaluated using Effective Width Method and Direct Strength Method; and then compared with experimental results as well as Finite Element Method. Four different stiffened sections are also examined in order to evaluate the presence impact of stiffeners and lips in compression capacity of members. The results show that angles which include one stiffener in each leg, have higher compression capacity of 25% of a simple angle, whereas angles which include stiffener and lip simultaneously have promoted capacity of 47% of a simple angle. Among studied sections, angles with two stiffeners and one lip on each leg have the highest compression capacity by almost 60% of a simple section. The comparison between compression capacities obtained from different methods indicates that prescribed methods by the codes are conservative to some extent.