Experimental Capacity Assessment of Cold-Formed Boxed Stud and C Stud Wall Systems Used in Australian Residential Construction

Abstract

The performance of cold-formed steel Boxed stud and C section wall systems under axial compression, bending, and combined axial and bending loads has recently been investigated at the University of South Australia. This Technical Note summarizes the experimental procedures and capacity assessment of single-plasterboard-sheathed panels in comparison with unsheathed steel frames tested under axial compressive load. The paper also presents the structural behaviors of panels with plasterboard sheathing under the influence of bending only and combined axial and bending loads. The analysis of the test results led to numerous interesting conclusions about the behavior of single-plasterboard-sheathed panels within brick veneer wall systems.